Bacteriophage gene 3 protein compositions and use as amyloid binding agents

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to agents and to pharmaceutical compositions for reducing the formation of amyloid and/or for promoting the disaggregation of amyloid proteins. The compositions may also be used to detect amyloid.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing of International Application No. PCT/US2013/062862, filed Oct. 1, 2013, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/828,105, filed May 28, 2013: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/801,349, filed Mar. 15, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/730,316, filed Nov. 27, 2012; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/708,709, filed Oct. 2, 2012. Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The invention relates to fusion proteins comprising an amyloid binding fragment of filamentous bacteriophage g3p protein or mutant or variant forms of such amyloid binding fragment. Nucleic acid molecules and constructs encoding such fusion proteins, cells transformed with such nucleic acid molecules, and methods of making such fusion proteins recombinantly are encompassed. In addition, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fusion proteins disclosed herein, and to the use of such compositions therapeutically and prophylactically to decrease amyloid load associated with diseases, such as systemic and peripheral amyloid diseases, neurodegenerative diseases including neurodegenerative tauopathies, and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (prion-associated diseases). Also encompassed is the use of those compositions to prevent the accumulation of amyloid load associated with these diseases, and the use of those compositions as diagnostics to detect amyloid and thus, diagnose such diseases.

Filamentous bacteriophage M13, and related filamentous phage, have shown utility in animal models of protein misfolding disease, and therefore represent a potential therapeutic class for protein misfolding diseases. See United States patent publication US 2011/0142803, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In particular, it has been discovered that filamentous bacteriophage have the ability to mediate clearance of amyloid that have already formed in the brain. See, e.g., WO2006083795 and WO2010060073, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

M13 phage, a member of the Ff family of phages, has a mature g3p of 406 amino acids. GenBank Ref Seq NP_510891.1 provides a reference sequence that includes the 18 residue amino-terminal signal sequence. Variants that have amino acid differences as compared to published sequences are common. Filamentous phage of the I-family have g3p that differs from Ff family members, but even between families g3p is still highly conserved. Stassen et al., J Mol Evol (1992) 34:141-52.

A crystal structure is available for g3p. Lubkowski et al., Structure (1998) 7(6) 711-722. The protein comprises 3 folded domains separated by flexible glycine-rich linker sequences. There are two amino-terminal domains, N1 and N2 comprising 262 amino acids, that interact to form an N1-N2 complex. The carboxy-terminal (CT, also called N3) domain is 146 amino acids and it serves to anchor g3p in the phage particle by hydrophobic interactions with g8p. Marvin, Current Opin. in Structural Biology (1998) 8:150-158. A publically available ribbon structure prepared using the N1-N2 domain fusion protein 2g3p of Holliger, J Mol. Biol. (1999) 288(4):649-57 is presented in FIG. 1.

Unlike most proteins, unfolding of the N1 and N2 domains from the latent “locked” form is required for g3p to acquire its native biological activity. Eckert & Schmid, J. Mol. Biol. (2007) 373:452-461. In the initial step in infection, N2 binds the bacterial F-pilus via residues on the outer rim of N2. Deng & Perham, 2002. This initial binding by N2 “unlocks” g3p by “opening” the N1-N2 complex, permitting N1 to then bind the co-receptor TolA. In an N1-N2 fragment of g3p, the thermal transition for the initial unlocking step in which N2 unfolds occurs at a melting temperature (T_(M)) of 48.1° C. Part of the process involves an isomerization at the Gln212-Pro213 peptide bond. Pro213 converting is trans in the unlocked state. N1 remains stably folded until the second step, which occurs at a T_(M) of 60.2° C. Reviewed in Eckert & Schmid, 2007.

Mutations in the N1-N2 fragment have been used to study the stability and infectivity of various mutants. Eckert & Schmid, 2007. One variant, designated “3A” impaired pilus binding and decreased the stability of the N2 domain. For this mutation, the T_(M) is decreased to 42.6° C. 3A carries the following mutations: W181A, F190A, and F194A. Another mutant in N2, G153D, destabilized N2, decreasing T_(M) to 44.4° C. A Q129H mutant stabilized N2, increasing the T_(M) to 51.4° C. The IY variant contains the mutations T101I and D209Y in the hinge and increases the stability of the N1-N2 fragment (T_(M)=56.5° C.). IHY contains the mutations T101I, Q129H, and D209Y (T_(M)=60.1° C.). IIHY contains the mutations T13I, T101I, Q129H, and D209Y (T_(M)=61.8° C.). Both the Q129Y and T13I mutations are stabilizing, and adding these mutations further increases the melting temperature, T_(M). Phage infectivity varied inversely with the strength of the domain interactions within g3p. Eckert & Schmid, 2007. Deletion of the N2 domain (phage fd(ΔN2)) increased the infectivity by removing the blocking effect of the N2 domain on N1-binding of TolA. Id.

Recently, it was discovered that g3p also mediates binding of the filamentous phage to amyloid in a manner analogous to the process by which phage infect bacteria. WO 2013/082114 discloses that phage g3p directly binds amyloid fibers and that phage-mediated disaggregation is dependent upon this initial binding step. The recognition that g3p is responsible for filamentous phage-mediated amyloid binding provides a basis for new classes of therapeutics and diagnostics. The present invention provides those therapeutic and diagnostic compositions as well as methods of using them to detect, diagnose, treat, prevent, or delay onset of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid aggregation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part in the description which follows, and will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents a ribbon structure of the N1 and N2 domains of g3p, and the hinge.

FIGS. 2A-2C present alignments of g3p's from different sources. FIG. 2A is an alignment of g3p from phage M13 (SEQ ID NO: 1), fd (SEQ ID NO:2), and f1 (SEQ ID NO: 3), including a consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4). FIG. 2B shows an alignment of g3p from phage I2-2 (SEQ ID NO: 5) and Ike (SEQ ID NO: 6), along with a consensus sequence between I2-2 and Ike (SEQ ID NO: 7). FIG. 2C presents the amino acid sequence of g3p from phage If (SEQ ID NO: 8).

FIGS. 3A and 3B present a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) study of phage binding. Binding to Aβ fibrils was compared to binding to Aβ monomers using 10¹⁴ phage/mL flowed across the biosensor chip. FIG. 3B shows the K_(a), K_(d), and K_(D) calculated from the SPR data shown in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B present binding studies. FIG. 4A shows a direct binding assay for two phage doses (10¹¹/mL and 10¹²/mL) with increasing molar amounts of fAβ42. FIG. 4B is a binding competition study and provides an alternate way to determine the K_(D) for M13 binding. Construct 1 was used.

FIG. 5 shows binding competition results using heat denatured (boxes—90° C. for 10 minutes) versus native conformation (circles) M13 (Construct 1) in the amyloid fiber binding competition assay.

FIG. 6 shows a Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay using fAβ42 incubated in the presence or absence of 2 concentrations of M13 phage (Construct 1).

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the effect of varying individual assay parameters in the ThT disaggregation assay. FIG. 7A presents disaggregation percentages in the presence of two salt concentrations (0.15 M and 1.5 M). FIG. 7B presents percentages of fAβ remaining at two temperatures (4° C. and 37° C.). Construct 1 was used.

FIGS. 8A and 8B represent M13-amyloid binding assays using fAβ42. In FIG. 8A, M13 binding is reported using incubation temperatures from 18° C. to 58° C. for 3 hours. FIG. 8B shows binding kinetics for incubations at 37° C. vs. 50° C.

FIGS. 9A-9C show the effect of proteolytic removal of g3p on phage-amyloid interactions. The protease Arg C was used to clip g3p from M13 phage (M13Δg3p). FIG. 9A presents the results of an Aβ binding competition study using M13Δg3p phage compared to native (treated identically to the ArgC-treated phage but without protease treatment) phage. FIG. 9B shows the effect of Arg C treatment on infectivity of the M13Δg3p phage compared to native phage. FIG. 9C compares ArgC treated phage to native phage in the disaggregation assay.

FIGS. 10A and 10B present the results of a binding competition assay using a N1-N2 fragment of g3p, herein referred to as recombinant soluble N1N2 (rs-g3p(N1N2); “Construct 3”), M13Δg3p (Arg C treated), and M13 as competitors of labeled M13 binding to fAβ42. FIG. 10B shows a repeat of the competition assay.

FIG. 11 presents competition data for phage fd, IIHY, AAA, and M13. Phages fd, AAA, and IIHY were pre-activated at 50° C. for 1.5 hours, then activated and non-activated Fd, AAA, & IIHY were compared for their ability to compete with labeled M13 for binding to Aβ during a 45 minute incubation at 37° C.

FIG. 12A shows a schematic of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3). FIG. 12B presents an ion exchange profile for rs-g3p(N1N2). FIG. 12C shows the results of a gel filtration assay using Sephacryl S-300 and rs-g3p(N1N2). FIG. 12D shows a Western Blot of rs-g3p(N1N2) together with g3p and g8p controls. M13 phage are run in lanes 1 and 2 as a positive control, and detected with a polyclonal anti-M13 antibody, which detects both g8p and g3p. Purified rs-g3p is run in lanes 3 and 4, and detected with the same polyclonal anti-M13 antibody.

FIG. 13 presents SPR data using rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3). rs-g3p(N1N2) potently binds fAβ42 with a K_(D) of about 160 nM, but does not bind monomers.

FIG. 14 presents a ThT fluorescence assay used to measure the amyloid present in a given sample. 10 μM of Aβ42 monomers was incubated in the presence or absence of 5 concentrations of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3) at 37° C. for 3 days. The amount of fibers formed at the end of 3 days was measured by quantitating the bound ThT fluorescence. The IC₅₀ is approximately 20 nM indicating that rs-g3p(N1N2) potently inhibits formation of Aβ42 fibers. The figure also indicates that binding is dose-dependent. Repeated experiments show IC₅₀'s between 20 nM and 100 nM.

FIG. 15A shows the transmission electron micrography (TEM) results of incubating fAβ42 in the presence or absence of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3). FIG. 15B shows the results of a ThT fluorescence assay using Aβ42 and 2 μM rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3) incubated at 37° C. for 7 days. rs-g3p(N1N2) blocks the formation of fAβ42.

FIG. 16 demonstrates that rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3) potently inhibits the formation of α-synuclein fibers. 25 μM of α-synuclein was assembled by agitating at 300 rpm for 4 days at 37° C. (see, Bar 1). The second bar on the graph represents alpha-synuclein monomers plus 1×10¹³ pentameric M13 phage shaking at 37° C. for 3 days. The results shown in bar 2 indicate that pentameric M13 blocks assembly of α-synuclein fibers. The third bar on the graph represents alpha-synuclein monomers+83 nM rsg3p monomers. The results shown in bar 3 indicate that monomers are less effective at inhibiting α-synuclein fiber formation than pentameric M13. Bar 4 is a negative control showing alpha synuclein monomers at time zero. In bar 5, g3p monomers without α-synuclein fibers are shown to determine whether g3p binds to pTAA and sequesters the dye from binding to the fibers. The results shown in bar 5 indicate that g3p does not bind to pTAA.

FIG. 17 presents competition binding data for rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3), M13 (Construct 2), rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc fusion protein (Construct 4), and an IgG4-Fc negative control.

FIG. 18 presents competition binding data comparing M13 (Construct 2; squares), rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3; triangles), rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc fusion protein (Construct 4; upside down triangles), and a recombinant IgG4-Fc negative control (diamonds).

FIG. 19 shows a filter trap assay comparing five concentrations of Aβ42 fibers plus or minus two concentrations of M13 (Construct 2), 800 nM rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3), and three concentrations of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc fusion protein (Construct 4).

FIG. 20 presents competition binding data for rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3; “monomer”) and streptavidin conjugated rs-g3p(N1N2) (“SA[g3pN1N2]_(n=2-4)”; “SA-g3p”; “tetramer”). rs-g3p(N1N2) and SA-g3p were compared for their ability to compete with labeled M13 for binding to Aβ during a three hour incubation at 37° C.

FIG. 21 shows a filter trap assay comparing five concentrations of fAβ42 plus or minus two concentrations of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3; “monomer”) and two concentrations of SA-g3p (“tetramer”).

FIGS. 22A and 22B show TEMs of fAβ42 at times zero (FIG. 22A) and three days after incubation with SA-g3p (FIG. 22B).

FIG. 23 shows the amino acid sequence of one rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc construct “Construct 4” (SEQ ID NO:9). The N1N2 region of “Construct 4” is derived from the N1N2 region of “Construct 1” (SEQ ID NO:10).

FIG. 24 shows the amino acid sequence of another rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc construct “Construct 5” (SEQ ID NO:11). The N1N2 region of “Construct 5” is derived from the N1N2 region of “Construct 2” (SEQ ID NO:12).

FIG. 25 shows the amino acid sequence of one rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc construct “Construct 6” (SEQ ID NO:13). The N1N2 region of “Construct 6” is derived from the N1N2 region of “Construct 2”.

FIG. 26 shows the amino acid sequence alignment of N2 from: fd (SEQ ID NO:14), f1 (SEQ ID NO:15), M13 (SEQ ID NO:16), Ike (SEQ ID NO:17), I2-2 (SEQ ID NO:18), and If1 (SEQ ID NO:19). An asterisk “*” indicates positions which have a single, fully conserved residue. A colon “:” indicates conservation between groups of strongly similar properties that score greater than 0.5 in the Gonnet PAM 250 matrix. A period “.” indicates conservation between groups of weakly similar properties that score equal to or less than 0.5 in the Gonnet PAM 250 matrix.

FIG. 27A shows a schematic of Construct 3. FIG. 27B shows the DNA sequence of the g3p portion of Construct 3 (SEQ ID NO:23). FIG. 27C shows the amino acid sequence of the g3p portion of Construct 3 (SEQ ID NO:24).

FIG. 28 shows the results of an experiment testing two rs-g3p(N1N2)-IgG fusion proteins for their ability to reduce amyloid β in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 5) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) both significantly reduced the level of amyloid 1 in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice.

FIG. 29 shows the results of an experiment testing two rs-g3p(N1N2)-IgG fusion proteins for their ability to reduce amyloid β in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 5) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) were both able to significantly reduce the level of amyloid β in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's Disease mice.

FIGS. 30A and 30B shows assembly inhibition of Aβ42 with rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6). FIG. 30A shows a “native” agarose gel made without SDS. The samples were run in TEA buffer without SDS and not boiled. The results indicate that Construct 6 is capable of inhibiting the assembly of fAβ42. FIG. 30B presents a ThT fluorescence assay used to measure the amyloid present in a given sample. 10 μM of Aβ42 monomers were incubated in the presence or absence of 2 concentrations of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) at 37° C. for 1 day. The amount of fibers formed at the end of day 1 was measured by quantitating the bound ThT fluorescence. rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) potently inhibits formation of Aβ42 fibers. The figure also indicates that inhibition of fiber formation with Construct 6 is dose-dependent.

FIGS. 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D present representative circular dichroism data showing that Aβ42 assembly is inhibited by rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3). Circular dichroism measures the α-helix and β-sheet content of the Aβ fibers to be assessed. FIG. 31A shows the ellipticity versus wavelength for Aβ42 at T=0, T=24 hours, and T=48 hours. FIG. 31B shows ellipticity versus wavelength for Aβ42 plus Construct 3 at T=0, T=24 hours, and T=48 hours. FIG. 31C shows a representative ThT assay where the amount of fibers formed between 24 and 48 hours was measured by quantitating the bound ThT fluorescence. Construct 3 potently inhibits formation of Aβ42 fibers. FIG. 31D shows ellipticity versus wavelength for Construct 3 at T=0, T=24 hours, and T=48 hours. Taken together, these data confirm the ability of Construct 3 to inhibit Aβ42 assembly.

FIG. 32 presents representative data showing that M13 (Construct 2) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) block oligomer-induced toxicity of N2a cells. See, e.g., Stine et al. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278(13): 11612-11622 and Stine et al. (2011) Erik D. Roberson (ed.) Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia, Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 670: 13-32. N2a cells were differentiated by serum starvation for 48 hours prior to treatment. Aβ42 oligomers (2 uM) were pre-incubated with Construct 2 and Construct 6 at 37° C. for 3 hrs before addition to N2a cells. Time zero (“TO”) complexes were not pre-incubated. After 24 hours of incubation, adenylate kinase (“AK”) release was monitored. AK release into the medium indicates cell death/lysis. Aβ42 oligomers were made as described by Stine et al., 2011. The results indicate that M13 and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc are potent inhibitors of toxic oligomers.

FIG. 33 shows a filter trap assay comparing six concentrations of Aβ42 fibers plus or minus 1×10¹²/ml M13 (Construct 2); 80 nm and 800 nM rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc construct (Construct 5); and 80 nm and 800 nM of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6). Aβ42 fibers were incubated with Constructs 2, 5, and 6 at 37° C. for 3 days, followed by filter retardation. The filter was probed by mAb 6E10 (1:15000), which recognizes Aβ42 fibers trapped on the filter. 800 nM of Construct 5 or Construct 6 equals 5×10¹⁴/ml Construct 2 by molecular molarity. The results indicate that Constructs 2, 5, and 6 potently disaggregate β-amyloid fibers.

FIGS. 34A and 34B present representative assays used to measure the amount of M13 (Construct 2) bound to fAβ42 after 3 hours of preincubation with ftau. 5 μM of Aβ42 monomers bound to Construct 2 was incubated in the presence or absence of 4 concentrations of ftau at 37° C. for 3 hours. Since fAbeta:M13-Alexa488 pellets but ftau:M13-Alexa488 does not pellet, measuring the loss of fluorescence from the pelleted material indicates that ftau competed the fAbeta binding. Here, the amount of M13-fAβ formed at the end of 3 hours was measured by quantitating the Alexa488 fluorescence in the pelleted binding competition reaction. The results indicate that ftau is able to compete with M13-Alexa488 (Construct 2) for fAβ42 binding.

FIG. 35 shows the results of one representative SPR assay testing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 4) to bind to ftau. The results indicate that Construct 4 potently binds ftau.

FIGS. 36A and 36B show the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to disaggregate ftau. Tau fibers were prepared by diluting 40 uM of the microtubule binding repeat region (“MTBR”) of tau into 50 mM superoxide dismutase (“Sod”). Various concentrations of Construct 6 and the prepared ftau were incubated in acetate buffer at pH7.0, 37° C. for 72 hrs. ThT fluorescence was recorded in the presence of 5 fold excess ThT. FIG. 36A presents the results of a representative ThT assay showing the ability of Construct 6 to disaggregate ftau. FIG. 36B shows another representative experiment confirming the ability of Construct 6 to disaggregate tau. FIGS. 36A and 36B also show that disaggregation of ftau by Construct 6 is dose dependent.

FIGS. 37A, 37B, 37C, and 37D present representative experiments showing the inhibition of Aβ aggregation by rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) and rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3) over time. Aβ42 was dissolved in DMSO and diluted into PBS containing NaN3. Aβ42 was aggregated at 37° C. plus or minus various concentrations of Construct 3 and Construct 6. Aggregation of Aβ42 was measured by ThT fluorescence. FIG. 37A shows an SDS PAGE of the samples. FIG. 37B shows the results from one representative experiment. FIG. 37C shows the results from another representative experiment. FIG. 37D summarizes the results.

FIG. 38A and FIG. 38B present the results of experiments showing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to block the conversion of PrP to PrP-Sc. Construct 6 and IgG cell lysates were subjected to ultra-centrifugation to separate soluble (supernatant) and insoluble (pellet) PrP species. PrP species were visualized biochemically with an anti-PrP monoclonal antibody (6D11). In the presence of IgG, there is a partitioning of PrP in both soluble and insoluble fractions. In the presence of Construct 6, there is limited insoluble PrP. Data represents n=4.

FIG. 39A and FIG. 39B present the results of experiments showing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to reduce the accumulation and aggregation of PrP^(Sc) in a cell culture model of prion disease. FIG. 39A shows biochemically resolved undigested and PK-digested N2a22L^(Sc) cell lysates following treatment with Construct 6 and IgG. A significant reduction in PrP^(Sc) levels is clearly observed in cells treated with increasing concentrations of Construct 6. An approximately 50% reduction in PrP^(Sc) levels is achieved with treatment of ˜0.08 μg/ml Construct 6. Treatment with 10 μg/ml Construct 6 reduces PrP^(Sc) levels to 5.725%, p<0.0001. No marked changes in PrP^(Sc) levels were observed in N2A22L^(Sc) cells treated with 1 μg/ml murine IgG. For FIG. 39B, the X-ray films were subsequently digitized and initially normalized to the effect in IgG treated N2a22L^(Sc) cells from the same passage which was considered to be 100%. The densitometry data from PK-digested blots was then analyzed relative to the equivalently blotted undigested lysates and expressed as a percent change PrP^(Sc)/PrPc. Data represents n=4.

FIG. 40 presents the results of an experiment testing two rs-g3p(N1N2)-IgG fusion proteins for their effect on synaptophysin levels in the hippocampus in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease after treatment with rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 5) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6). Both constructs significantly increased the level of synaptophysin in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice.

FIG. 41 presents the results of an experiment testing two rs-g3p(N1N2)-IgG fusion proteins for their effect on Iba-1 levels in the hippocampus in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease after treatment with rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 5) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6). Both constructs significantly increased the level of Iba-1 in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice.

FIG. 42 presents the results of an experiment testing two rs-g3p(N1N2)-IgG fusion proteins for their effect on GFAP levels in the hippocampus in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease after treatment with rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 5) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6). Neither construct significantly altered the level of GFAP in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice.

FIG. 43 presents the results of a binding experiment designed to compare rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 5) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6). The constructs bind to fAβ potently with similar K_(D)'s (˜11).

FIGS. 44A and 44B show the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3) to block assembly of tau. In FIG. 44A, 1 μM tau was incubated alone or co-incubated with 1 μM of Construct 3, and analyzed by TEM after 5 days. Construct 3 blocks assembly of tau. FIG. 44B shows the results of a ThT fluorescence assay using ftau incubated in the presence or absence of 3 concentrations of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3). Construct 3 dose-dependently blocks the assembly of tau.

FIG. 45 shows a schematic of the experiment to analyze the interactions between fAβ42 and rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3).

FIG. 46 shows the results of an NMR study to analyze the interactions between fAβ42 and rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3). H stands for hydrogen and D stands for deuterium. The hydrogens of the Aβ fibers exchange for deuterium over time and the rate is affected by binding of Construct 3 to the fibers. The results indicate a molecular iteration between Construct 3 and fAβ42 at residues 17-22 and 33-40 of fAβ42.

FIGS. 47A, 47B, 47C, and 47D show representative TEMs of Construct 3 disaggregating preformed fAβ42 after incubation for 744 hours. FIG. 47A shows fAβ42 alone. FIG. 47B shows fAβ42 plus Construct 3. FIG. 47C shows fAβ42 alone at an increased magnification as compared to FIG. 47A. FIG. 47D shows fAβ42 plus Construct 3 at higher magnification as compared to FIG. 47B.

FIG. 48 shows the results of a representative SPR assay showing that rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) potently binds ftau.

FIG. 49A presents the results of a representative ThT assay showing the ability of Construct 6 to disaggregate ftau. FIG. 49B shows a graphical representation of the experiment of FIG. 49A. FIGS. 49A and 49B also show that disaggregation of ftau by Construct 6 is dose dependent.

FIG. 50A presents a SPR study of rs-g3p(If1-N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 8) binding to Aβ fibrils. The results show that Construct 8 strongly binds Aβ fibrils (K_(D)˜36 nM). An N1N2 fragment of g3p (not linked to an Fc domain) showed weaker binding (K_(D)˜36 nM). FIG. 50B present the results of a binding competition assay showing the ability of rs-g3p(If1-N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 8) to bind to fAβ1-42. An N1N2 fragment of g3p (not linked to an Fc domain) showed weaker binding.

FIG. 51 shows an amino acid comparison between If1 g3p (SEQ ID NO:29) and fd g3p (SEQ ID NO:30). Amino acids that are identical between If1 and fd in the N1 domain of g3p are shaded. The N1 domain is boxed.

FIGS. 52A and 52B present the results of experiments showing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to significantly reduce Aβ deposition and tau fibers following direct injection to the brain in an in vivo model of Alzheimer's disease. In FIG. 52A, the level of Aβ is significantly reduced in mice that received Construct 6 as compared to control. In FIG. 52B, the level of tau is significantly reduced in mice that received Construct 6 as compared to control

FIGS. 53A and 53B present the results of experiments showing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to treat AD when given systemically rather than as a direct injection to the brain. FIGS. 53A and 53B show that AD mice that received Construct 6 have reduced hyperactivity as compared to mice given a control.

FIG. 54 presents the results of experiments showing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to treat AD when given systemically rather than as a direct injection to the brain. In FIG. 54, the ability of AD mice to circle is reduced in mice that received Construct 6 as compared to control.

FIG. 55 presents the results of experiments showing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to treat AD when given systemically rather than as a direct injection to the brain. In FIG. 55, corner jumping of AD mice is significantly reduced in mice that received Construct 6 as compared to control.

FIG. 56 presents the results of experiments showing the ability of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) to treat AD when given systemically rather than as a direct injection to the brain. In FIG. 56, AD mice receiving Construct 6 exhibited significantly more spontaneous alternation of arm entries in the Y-maze relative to mice receiving control PBS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCES

SEQ  ID NO: Construct 1 M13 g3p 2 fd g3p 3 f1 g3p 4 consensus sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2,  and 3 5 I2-2 g3p 6 Ike g3p 7 consensus sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 5  and 6 8 If1 g3p 9 Amino Acid of Construct 4 10 DNA of Construct 1 11 Amino Acid of Construct 5 12 DNA of Construct 2 13 Amino Acid of Construct 6 14 fd N2 15 f1 N2 16 M13 N2 17 Ike N2 18 12-2 N2 19 If1 N2 20 Amino Acid of Construct 3 21 GxFxGxF 22 KLVFF 23 DNA sequence of the g3p portion of  Construct 3 24 Amino acid sequence of g3p portion of  Construct 3 25 His His His His His His  26 DNA of Construct 4 27 DNA of Construct 5 28 DNA of Construct 6 29 If1 g3p (Fig. 51) 30 fd g3p (Fig. 51) 31 Amino Acids of rs-g3p (If1-N1N2)-hlgG1-  Fc construct “Construct 8” 32 DNA of rs-g3p (If1-N1N2)-hlgG1-Fc  construct “Construct 8” 33 forward primer:  AAAAAAGGGAATTCGATGGCTGAAACTGTTGAAAGTTG 34 reverse primer:  AAAAAACCATGGCACCGGAACCAGAGCCAC

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides fusion proteins that comprise an amyloid binding fragment of g3p or a mutant or variant thereof. In specific embodiments, the fusion proteins of the invention further comprise an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin constant region. In one aspect of these embodiments, the fusion proteins are soluble. In another aspect of these embodiments, the fusion proteins reduce amyloid by, for example, disaggregating and/or preventing or inhibiting the aggregation of amyloid (e.g., amyloid plaque). The fusion proteins of the invention bind to amyloid. In some embodiments, the fusion proteins of the invention remove and/or inhibit the formation of toxic oligomers.

The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions of the fusion proteins of the invention, as well as their use to bind to and reduce amyloid. Reducing amyloid encompasses, for example, disaggregating amyloid, preventing and/or inhibiting the aggregation of amyloid, and removing and/or preventing the formation of toxic oligomers. Use of the compositions to detect amyloid deposits and diagnose diseases and disorders characterized by amyloid is encompassed.

DEFINITIONS

The term “g3p” when used alone or in terms such as “g3p-derived” refers to any wild type or recombinant filamentous phage g3p protein (including fragments, variants, and mutants of g3p). The term should not be construed as limited to g3p derived from any particular filamentous bacteriophage. By way of example, the term “g3p” includes SEQ ID NO: 1 and the related proteins shown in FIG. 2.

The term “domain” means a region of a polypeptide (including proteins) having some distinctive physical feature or role including for example an independently folded structure composed of one section of a polypeptide chain. A domain may contain the sequence of the distinctive physical feature of the polypeptide or it may contain a fragment of the physical feature which retains its binding characteristics (i.e., it can bind to a second domain). A domain may be associated with another domain. In other words, a first domain may naturally bind to a second domain. For example, the g3p N2 domain binds F-pili and the g3p N1 domain binds TolA.

The terms “amyloid,” “amyloid fibrils,” and “amyloid fibers,” as used herein are generic terms for a tertiary structure that is formed by aggregation of any of several different proteins and that consists of an ordered arrangement of β sheets stacked perpendicular to a fiber axis. Sunde et al., J. Mol. Biol. (1997) 273:729-39. One exemplary amyloid is the aggregate of amyloid-β formed in Alzheimer's disease, which is composed of beta-amyloid peptide “βA,” which are 39-43 amino acid internal fragments cleaved from the human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP). There are short forms, such as Aβ40, and long forms, such as the more fibrillogenic Aβ isoform, Aβ42. Other exemplary amyloid proteins include misfolded α-synuclein (associated with Parkinson's disease), huntingtin (associated with Huntington's disease), tau (associated with Alzheimer's disease), and the abnormal conformation of the prion protein, PrP^(Sc). Additional examples are provided throughout the description and are known to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., Aguzzi (2010), and Eichner and Radford, Mol. Cell (2011) 43:8-18). Thus, unless a protein or peptide is specified, use of the terms “amyloid,” “amyloid fibrils,” or “amyloid fibers” should not be construed as limited to any particular protein or disease.

The term “amyloid binding fragment of g3p” refers to a fragment of g3p that maintains the ability to bind to amyloid. The term “amyloid binding fragment of g3p” also refers to mutants and variants of g3p, including N-, C-, or N- and C-terminal truncations of g3p, that maintain the ability to bind to amyloid.

The term “beta amyloid peptide” is synonymous with “β-amyloid peptide,” “βAP,” “βA,” and “Aβ.” All of these terms refer to an amyloid forming peptide derived from the human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP).

Fusion proteins of the invention or compositions comprising those fusion proteins described as “disaggregating” or “mediating disaggregation” reduce aggregates that have already formed. Disaggregation can be measured by the filter trap assay. Wanker et al., Methods Enzymol (1999) 309:375-86. The filter trap assay is described herein and can be used both to detect aggregates and to monitor disaggregation mediated by compositions of the invention. Disaggregation is detected as decreased retention of amyloid on the filter, as shown by a decrease in staining, in the presence of increasing concentrations of the disaggregating agent.

As used herein, a fusion protein or composition that “reduces amyloid” or “decreases amyloid load” does one or more of the following: inhibits amyloid formation, causes amyloid disaggregation, promotes amyloid clearance, inhibits amyloid aggregation, blocks and/or prevents the formation of toxic amyloid oligomers, and/or promotes the clearance of toxic amyloid oligomers.

Any of the products or compositions of the invention described as “protecting neurons from amyloid damage” prevent the accumulation of new amyloid and/or prevent the formation of toxic amyloid oligomers. Products or compositions of the invention described as “protecting neurons from amyloid damage” may be taken prophylactically. Whether or not a product or composition protects neurons from amyloid damage may be measured by the neuronal cell culture cytotoxicity assay described herein.

As used herein, “PrP protein,” “PrP,” and “prion,” refer to polypeptides that are capable under appropriate conditions, of inducing the formation of aggregates responsible for protein misfolding diseases. For example, normal cellular prion protein (PrPc) is converted under such conditions into the corresponding scrapie isoform (PrPsc) which is responsible for diseases such as, but not limited to, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, feline spongiform encephalopathy of cats, kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease (GSS), and fatal familial insomnia (FFI).

The term “variant” as used herein in conjunction with a fusion protein or an amyloid binding fragment of g3p portion of the fusion protein, refers to a corresponding amino acid sequence that contains at least one amino acid difference (substitution, insertion or deletion) as compared to the reference substance. In certain embodiments a “variant” has high amino acid sequence homology and/or conservative amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions as compared to the reference sequence. In some embodiments, a variant has no more than 75, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 amino acid differences as compared to the reference sequence. A “conservative substitution” refers to the replacement of a first amino acid by a second amino acid that does not substantially alter the chemical, physical and/or functional properties of the protein, polypeptide or amino acid sequence, such as, e.g., a g3p protein or amyloid binding fragment of g3p (e.g., the g3p protein or amyloid binding fragment retains the same charge, structure, polarity, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and/or preserves functions such as the ability to recognize, bind to, and/or reduce amyloid). Such conservative amino acid modifications are based on the relative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and the like. Exemplary conservative substitutions which take various of the foregoing characteristics into consideration are well known to those of skill in the art and include: arginine and lysine; glutamate and aspartate; serine and threonine; glutamine and asparagine; and valine, leucine, and isoleucine. The terms “g3p variant” or a “variant of an amyloid binding fragment of g3p” also encompass polypeptides having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 78%, at least 80%, at least 82%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% amino acid sequence identity to a wild type g3p or corresponding fragment thereof.

The term “mutant” refers to a fusion protein or an amyloid binding fragment of g3p of the fusion protein that is mutated at one or more amino acids in order to modulate its therapeutic or diagnostic efficacy. In certain embodiments, a mutant contains a substitution, deletion and/or insertion at an amino that is known to interact with amyloid. In other embodiments, a mutant contains a substitution, deletion and/or insertion at an amino that is a conserved amino acid present in a wild type g3p or amyloid binding fragment thereof. In some embodiments, a mutant has no more than 75, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 amino acid differences as compared to the reference sequence. In some embodiments, the amino acid substitutions are conservative substitutions. The terms “variant” and “mutant” are used interchangeably herein except that a “variant” is typically non-recombinant in nature, whereas a “mutant” is typically recombinant. The terms “mutant g3p” or “mutant of an amyloid binding fragment of g3p” also encompass polypeptides having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 78%, at least 80%, at least 82%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% amino acid sequence identity to a wild type g3p or corresponding fragment thereof.

A “fusion protein” is a non-naturally occurring protein comprising at least two polypeptide domains. Fusion proteins of the invention comprise an amyloid binding fragment of g3p linked, fused, or conjugated to a second protein or polypeptide. In specific embodiments, the fusion proteins comprise an amyloid binding fragment of g3p and an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin.

The terms “active compounds,” “active agent,” and “active ingredient” are used interchangeably herein to refer to the portion of a fusion protein that provides the biological activity of the fusion protein. The g3p portion of the fusion proteins of the invention is the “active compound,” “active agent,” or “active ingredient.” Likewise, the g3p portion of the fusion proteins of the invention is the biologically active or therapeutically effective portion. The g3p portion of the fusion protein of the present invention is not used to facilitate protein folding of a fusion partner, which then acts as a therapeutic agent unrelated to g3p, as described in WO 2004/018685. Nor are the fusion proteins of the invention used for phage display as described in US 2009/105090.

The term “immunogenic” is used herein to refer to the ability of a composition to elicit an immune response in a mammal that has been exposed to the composition.

As used herein, “Construct 1” is derived from wild type M13 (see, Genbank file: NC_003287.2, version GI:56718463. In Construct 1, as compared to wild type M13, Ser378(AGC) is changed to Gly(GGC), and Ile87 (ATT) is changed to Asn(AAC)). Thus, whereas in wild type M13 there is a “G” at nucleic acid number 2710, in Construct 1 there is an “A” at this position. Likewise, in wild type M13 there is an “A” at nucleic acid number 4479, in Construct 1 there is a “T” at this position. Finally, in wild type M13 there is a “C” at nucleic acid number 4480, whereas in Construct 1 there is a “T” at this position. Construct 1 comprises the nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO:10.

“Construct 2” is a wild type M13 isolate (GenBank JX412914.1). Construct 2 comprises the nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO:12.

“Construct 3” is a recombinant soluble g3p fragment comprising the N1 and N2 domains of g3p (rs-g3p(N1N2)) comprising the amino acids of SEQ ID NO:20.

“Construct 4” is recombinant soluble g3p fragment IgG4 Fc fusion protein (rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc) comprising the amino acids of SEQ ID NO:9. The N1N2 region of “Construct 4” is derived from the N1N2 region of “Construct 1.” The nucleic acid sequence encoding “Construct 4” is set forth in SEQ ID NO:26.

The first 21 amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO:9 represent a signal sequence that is cleaved between amino acids 20 and 21 during recombinant production. The methionine at amino acid 21 of SEQ ID NO:9 is an artifact of cloning (encoded by the multiple cloning site used to fuse the signal sequence to the N1-N2 sequence) and is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:9 corresponds to the N-terminal amino acid of g3p isolated from M13 phage. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:9 is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant. The C-terminal lysine at amino acid 506 of SEQ ID NO:9 is also sometimes cleaved during recombinant production in eukaryotic cells. Products containing one or more of the above-identified N- and C-terminal deletions are part of the present invention.

Thus, in some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein described as “Construct 4” is a “Mature form of Construct 4”, and comprises amino acid 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:9. In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:9 (“N-terminal Met-truncated mature form of Construct 4”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:9 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated mature form of Construct 4”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:9 (“C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 4”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO:9 (“N-terminal Met-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 4”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:9 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 4”).

Likewise, nucleic acids encoding the full length, N-, C-, and N- and C-terminal truncated forms of Construct 4, as described herein, are encompassed. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein comprises the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:26. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein is the portion of SEQ ID NO:26 that encodes the g3p portion, or the g3p-Ig portion, excluding the nucleotides encoding the signal sequence (i.e., excluding the nucleotides encoding amino acids 1-20, 1-22, or 1-23 of SEQ ID NO:9).

“Construct 5” is a recombinant soluble g3p fragment IgG4 Fc fusion protein (rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc) comprising the amino acids of SEQ ID NO:11. The N1N2 region of “Construct 5” is derived from the N1N2 region of “Construct 2.” The nucleic acid sequence encoding “Construct 5” is set forth in SEQ ID NO:27.

The first 21 amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO:11 represent a signal sequence that is cleaved between amino acids 20 and 21 during recombinant production. The methionine at amino acid 21 of SEQ ID NO:11 is an artifact of cloning (encoded by the multiple cloning site used to fuse the signal sequence to the N1-N2 sequence) and is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant production. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:11 corresponds to the N-terminal amino acid of g3p isolated from M13 phage. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:11 is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant. The C-terminal lysine at amino acid 506 of SEQ ID NO:11 is also sometimes cleaved during recombinant production. Products containing one or more of the above-identified N- and C-terminal deletions are part of the present invention.

Thus, in one embodiment, the g3p fusion protein described as “Construct 5” is a “Mature form of Construct 5”, and comprises amino acid 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:11. In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:11 (“N-terminal Met-truncated mature form of Construct 5”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:11 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated mature form of Construct 5”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:11 (“C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 5”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (“N-terminal Met-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 5”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:11 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 5”).

Likewise, nucleic acids encoding the full length, N-, C-, and N- and C-terminal truncated forms of Construct 5, as described herein, are encompassed. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein comprises the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:27. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein is the portion of SEQ ID NO:27 that encodes the g3p portion, or the g3p-Ig portion, excluding the nucleotides encoding the signal sequence (i.e., excluding the nucleotides encoding amino acids 1-20, 1-22, or 1-23 of SEQ ID NO:11).

“Construct 6” is a recombinant soluble g3p fragment IgG1 Fc fusion protein (rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc) comprising the amino acids of SEQ ID NO:13. The N1N2 region of “Construct 6” is derived from the N1N2 region of “Construct 2.” The nucleic acid sequence encoding “Construct 6” is set forth in SEQ ID NO:28.

The first 21 amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO:13 represent a signal sequence that is cleaved between amino acids 20 and 21 during recombinant production. The methionine at amino acid 21 of SEQ ID NO:13 is an artifact of cloning (encoded by the multiple cloning site used to fuse the signal sequence to the N1-N2 sequence) and is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:13 corresponds to the N-terminal amino acid of g3p isolated from M13 phage. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:13 is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant production. The C-terminal lysine at amino acid 509 of SEQ ID NO:13 is also sometimes cleaved during recombinant production. The removal of C-terminal lysine is not uncommon in the recombinant production of antibodies and associated fusion proteins (J Lou et al., Biotechnol Bioeng 2012 September; 109(9):2306-15). Products containing one or more of the above-identified N- and C-terminal deletions are part of the present invention.

Thus, in some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein described as “Construct 6” is a “Mature form of Construct 6” that comprises amino acid 21-509 of SEQ ID NO:13. In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-509 of SEQ ID NO:13 (“N-terminal Met-truncated mature form of Construct 6”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-509 of SEQ ID NO:13 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated mature form of Construct 6”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 21-508 of SEQ ID NO:13 (“C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 6”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-508 of SEQ ID NO:13 (“N-terminal Met-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 6”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-508 of SEQ ID NO:13 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 6”).

Likewise, nucleic acids encoding the full length, N-, C-, and N- and C-terminal truncated forms of Construct 6, as described herein, are encompassed. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein comprises the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:28. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein is the portion of SEQ ID NO:28 that encodes the g3p portion, or the g3p-Ig portion, excluding the nucleotides encoding the signal sequence (i.e., excluding the nucleotides encoding amino acids 1-20, 1-22, or 1-23 of SEQ ID NO:13).

“Construct 8” is recombinant soluble g3p fragment IgG1 Fc fusion protein (rs-g3p(If1 N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc) comprising the amino acids of SEQ ID NO:31. The g3p regions of “Construct 8” are derived from If1. The nucleic acid sequence encoding “Construct 8” is set forth in SEQ ID NO:32.

SEQ ID NO:31 is recited below, and shows the amino acids of Construct 8. The g3p N1 domain is from If1 except that certain If1 phage have a cysteine (C) to tryptophan (W) as indicated by a highlight/box below, and whereas shown below, the first 21 amino acids correspond to the IL2 secretory sequence that is part of the pFUSE Ig-fusion vector from Invivogen. The next stretch of amino acids is in bold and underline, and correspond to the g3p N1 domain of If1. Note that the C→W amino acid change is highlighted and boxed. The next stretch of amino acids, which is underlined, is the linker sequence found between the N1 and N2 domains of g3p If1. The g3p N2 domain from If1 is italicized. The g3p N2 domain is followed by a second linker sequence that in If1 links the N2 and N3 domains (shown in italics and underlining). Finally, the bolded, italicized, and underlined amino acids are IgG1-Fc

(SEQ ID NO: 31 (Amino Acid of Construct 8)) M Y R M Q L L S C I A L S L A L V T N S  M A T T D A E C L S K P A F D G T L S N V W K E G D S R Y A N F E N C I Y E L S G I G I G Y D N D T S W N G H W T P V R A A D G S G  N G G D D N S S G G G S N G D S G N N S T P D T V T P G Q T V N L P S D L S T L S I P A N V V K S D S I G S Q F S L Y T N A S C T M C S G Y Y L S N N A D S I A I A N I T E T V K A D Y N Q P D M W F E Q T D S D G N H V K I L Q N S Y K A V S Y N V E S K Q S D V N N P T Y I N Y S Y S V N V K Q V S Y D T S N V C I M N W E T F Q N K C D A S R A V L I T D T V T P S Y S R N I T I Q S N I N Y Q G S N G S G G S G G S G G S G 

The first 21 amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO:31 represent a signal sequence that is cleaved between amino acids 20 and 21 during recombinant production. The methionine at amino acid 21 of SEQ ID NO:31 is an artifact of cloning (encoded by the multiple cloning site used to fuse the signal sequence to the N1-N2 sequence) and is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:31 corresponds to the N-terminal amino acid of g3p isolated from M13 phage. The alanine at amino acid 22 of SEQ ID NO:31 is sometimes also cleaved during recombinant production. The C-terminal lysine at amino acid 528 of SEQ ID NO:31 is also sometimes cleaved during recombinant production. The removal of C-terminal lysine is not uncommon in the recombinant production of antibodies and associated fusion proteins (J Lou et al., Biotechnol Bioeng 2012 September; 109(9):2306-15). Products containing one or more of the above-identified N- and C-terminal deletions are part of the present invention.

Thus, in some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein described as “Construct 8” is a “Mature form of Construct 8” and comprises amino acid 21-528 of SEQ ID NO:31. In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-528 of SEQ ID NO:31 (“N-terminal Met-truncated mature form of Construct 8”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-528 of SEQ ID NO:31 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated mature form of Construct 8”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 21-527 of SEQ ID NO:31 (“C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 8”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-527 of SEQ ID NO:31 (“N-terminal Met-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 8”). In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-527 of SEQ ID NO:31 (“N-terminal Met-Ala-truncated, C-terminal Lys-truncated mature form of Construct 8”). The nucleic acid sequence encoding “Construct 8” is set forth in SEQ ID NO:32.

Nucleic acids encoding the full length, N-, C-, and N- and C-terminal truncated forms of Construct 8, as described herein, are encompassed. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein comprises the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:32. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein is the portion of SEQ ID NO:32 that encodes the g3p portion, or the g3p-Ig portion, excluding the nucleotides encoding the signal sequence (i.e., excluding the nucleotides encoding amino acids 1-20, 1-22, or 1-23 of SEQ ID NO:31).

Constructs 4, 5, 6, and 8, as well as mutants and variants thereof, are exemplary g3p fusion proteins of the invention.

G3p Fusion Proteins

The g3p fusion proteins of the invention comprise an amyloid binding fragment of g3p that is the active agent, active ingredient, active compound, biologically active portion, therapeutically effective portion, and/or pharmaceutically effective portion, of each fusion. Fusion proteins comprising mutant, variant, and fragment g3p's are encompassed by the invention. In one aspect, the g3p fusion protein comprises a fragment of g3p that binds to amyloid. In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein of the invention comprises a g3p N1N2 domain or a mutant, variant, or fragment thereof, wherein the amyloid binding fragment of g3p is linked, fused, conjugated, coupled, or associated with at least one non-g3p protein. In specific embodiments, the non-g3p protein is an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin. The g3p portion of the fusion protein is not provided for facilitating protein folding of a therapeutic fusion partner as described in WO 2004/018685, or for phage display as described in US 2009/105090.

In other aspects, the fusion protein comprises a g3p polypeptide that binds to amyloid and comprises a g3p N2 domain or a mutant, variant, or thereof, wherein the amyloid binding fragment of g3p is linked, fused, conjugated, coupled, or associated with at least one non-g3p protein. In specific embodiments, the non-g3p protein is an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin. In still other aspects, the fusion protein comprises a g3p polypeptide that binds to amyloid and comprises a g3p N1N2 domain, wherein the g3p N2 domain comprises a mutant, variant, or fragment g3p N2 that stabilizes the g3p N1 domain, or otherwise places the g3p N1 domain in a conformation that is amenable to g3p binding.

The g3p portion of the fusion protein is linked, fused, conjugated, coupled, or associated with/to at least one additional protein or protein domain with which it is not normally associated. In certain embodiments the non-g3p portion of the g3p fusion protein of the invention comprises an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin. In one embodiment, the fusion protein is a g3p fusion protein that comprises an amyloid binding fragment of g3p linked to a second domain comprising an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin. In another embodiment, the fusion protein consists of an amyloid-binding fragment of a g3p protein linked to an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin. As noted, some fusion proteins of the invention comprise a mutated or variated amyloid-binding fragment of g3p, such as a mutated or variated N1N2 or N2 domain that binds amyloid fibers. Thus, fusion proteins comprising these mutated or variated forms are also part of the invention.

The amyloid binding fragment of g3p and the fusion partner polypeptide may be part of a continuous amino acid sequence with the fusion partner polypeptide linked directly or through a short peptide linker to either the N terminus or the C terminus of the g3p or amyloid binding fragment polypeptide. In such cases, the amyloid binding fragment of g3p and the fusion partner polypeptide may be translated as a single polypeptide from a coding sequence that encodes both the amyloid binding fragment of g3p and the fusion partner polypeptide.

A. G3p Portions of the g3p Fusion Proteins

G3p has two amino-terminal domains, N1 and N2, that interact to form an N1-N2 complex, and one carboxy-terminal domain, N3 (also called “CT”). A hinge allows opening and closing between N1 and N2. Sometimes the hinge is considered part of N2, whereas in other instances it is treated as a separate element. N1 and N2 are also linked by flexible glycine-rich linker sequence. Within N1, there are two disulphide bridges between Cys7 and Cys36 and between Cys46 and Cys53. There is a single disulphide bridge in N2 between Cys188 and Cys201. In the carboxy terminal domain there is a disulphide bridge between Cys354 and Cys371. Marvin, 1998. There are no interdomain disulphide bridges in g3p.

Examples of amyloid binding fragments of g3p include the N2 domain either with the hinge or without the hinge; and the N1-N2 domains, either with or without the intervening linker sequence, and either with or without the hinge. In any of the foregoing examples, the N2 or N1N2 fragments may be the N2 or N1N2 found in a wild type filamentous bacteriophage or a recombinant N2 or N1N2. In any of the foregoing examples, the N2 or N1N2 fragments may be mutants or variants of the wild type filamentous bacteriophage sequence.

A primary structure alignment of N2 from: fd, f1, M13, Ike, I2-2, and If1 is shown as FIG. 26. The amino acids of fd are shown in SEQ ID NO:14; f1 in SEQ ID NO:15; M13 in SEQ ID NO:16; Ike in SEQ ID NO:17; 12-2 in SEQ ID NO:18; and If1 in SEQ ID NO:19. Using this figure and alignment as guidance, one embodiment of the invention encompasses a g3p fusion protein comprising a g3p polypeptide that binds to amyloid and comprises a g3p N2 domain or a fragment of the g3p N2 domain. In some aspects, the g3p N2 domain stabilizes the amyloid binding portions of g3p in the composition. Any g3p fusion protein comprising g3p N2 domains include mutants, variants, and fragments of g3p N2. A fragment of g3p N2 is any full length g3p N2 domain with at least one truncation on either or both of the N- or C-termini. G3p N2 polypeptides are exemplified by the amino acids of SEQ ID NO:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 and fragments, variants, and mutants thereof.

A primary structure alignment of fd, f1, and M13 is shown as FIG. 2A, and Ike, I2-2, and If1 as FIG. 2B. Using this alignment as guidance, one embodiment of the invention encompasses a fusion protein that comprises a g3p polypeptide that binds to amyloid and comprises a g3p N1N2 domain or a fragment of the g3p N1N2 domain. The g3p fusion protein comprising g3p N1N2 domains include mutants, variants, and fragments of g3p N1N2. A fragment of g3p N1N2 is any full length g3p N1N2 having at least one truncation on either or both of the N- or C-termini. G3p N1N2 polypeptides are exemplified by the amino acids of any of SEQ ID NOs:1-9, 11, 13, 20, 24, and 29-31, fragments, variants, and mutants thereof.

B. Non-g3p Portions of the g3p Fusion Proteins

The fusion proteins of the invention may comprise an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin constant region as the second domain. Fusion proteins comprised of immunoglobulin constant regions linked to a protein of interest, or fragment thereof, have been described (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,480,981 and 5,808,029; Gascoigne et al. 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:2936; Capon et al. 1989, Nature 337:525; Traunecker et al. 1989, Nature 339:68; Zettmeissl et al. 1990, DNA Cell Biol. USA 9:347; Bym et al. 1990, Nature 344:667; Watson et al. 1990, J. Cell. Biol. 110:2221; Watson et al. 1991, Nature 349:164; Aruffo et al. 1990, Cell 61:1303; Linsley et al. 1991, J. Exp. Med. 173:721; Linsley et al. 1991, J. Exp. Med. 174:561; Stamenkovic et al., 1991, Cell 66:1133; Ashkenazi et al. 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:10535; Lesslauer et al. 1991, Eur. J. Immunol. 27:2883; Peppel et al. 1991, J. Exp. Med. 174:1483; Bennett et al. 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266:23060; Kurschner et al. 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267:9354; Chalupny et al. 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10360; Ridgway and Gorman, 1991, J. Cell. Biol. 115, Abstract No. 1448; Zheng et al. 1995, J. Immun. 154:5590). These molecules usually possess both the biological activity associated with the linked molecule of interest as well as the effector function, or some other desired characteristic associated with the immunoglobulin constant region (e.g., biological stability, cellular secretion).

Fc expression cassettes may be purchased commercially. The Fc fragment can be comprised of the CH2 and CH3 domains of an immunoglobulin and the hinge region of the immunoglobulin. The Fc fragment can be the Fc fragment of an IgG1, an IgG2, an IgG3 or an IgG4. In one specific embodiment, the portion of an immunoglobulin constant region is an Fc fragment of an IgG1. In another embodiment, the portion of an immunoglobulin constant region is an Fc fragment of an IgG4. In still another embodiment, the portion of an immunoglobulin constant region is an Fc fragment of an IgM.

Thus, in one embodiment, a recombinant soluble amyloid-binding fragment of g3p is fused to an immunoglobulin Fc domain using standard molecular biology techniques. The recombinant soluble amyloid-binding fragment of g3p may be mutated or variated. For example, an amyloid-binding fragment of g3p, such as the N1N2 domain or the N2 domain, can be cloned into an IgGFc fusion expression vector. Exemplary IgGFc fusion vectors include, for example, one of the pFUSE-Fc vectors available from InvivoGen. In some embodiments, the resulting bivalent (e.g., g3p(N1N2)-IgGFc or g3p(N2)-IgGFc) fusion protein will have higher avidity for amyloid binding than the recombinant soluble g3p since it is now bivalent.

In other embodiments, the fusion protein comprises at least two amyloid-binding fragments of g3p. In other embodiments, the fusion protein comprises three or more amyloid-binding fragments of g3p. In other embodiments, the fusion protein comprises five amyloid-binding fragments of g3p. Such dimeric and multimeric fusion proteins provide higher avidity interactions since they include more than one amyloid-binding fragments of g3p.

In certain embodiments, the fusion protein comprises albumin. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,179.

C. Exemplary g3p Fusion Proteins of the Invention

In some embodiments, the fusion protein comprises a first domain comprising an amyloid binding fragment of g3p, and a second domain comprising a non-g3p protein such as, e.g., an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin. The first domain comprising an amyloid binding fragment of g3p is the active ingredient and confers therapeutic biological activity to the fusion protein. In some aspects, the g3p portion of the fusion protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% identical to the g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31 or any of the N, C, or N and C terminal truncations of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31 described herein. In one aspect of this embodiment, the g3p portion of the fusion protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is identical to the g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13 or SEQ ID NO:31. In other embodiments, the g3p portion may be a mutant, variant, or fragment as compared to any g3p portion recited in SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31 and is capable of binding to amyloid. In another aspect, the fusion protein is selected from amino acids 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21-509 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 22-509 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 23-509 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 21-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 22-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 23-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 21-528 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 22-528 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 23-528 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 21-527 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 22-527 of SEQ ID NO:31, or amino acids 23-527 of SEQ ID NO:31, or is a mutant or variant of any of these fusion proteins.

In another aspect, the g3p portion of the fusion protein is a mutant g3p that comprises an amino acid sequence that has from 1 to 20 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of any of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31, wherein the fusion protein is less immunogenic in a human than its unmodified counterpart. In some aspects of these embodiments, the fusion protein has from 1 to 10 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of any of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31. In other aspects, the fusion protein has from 1 to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of any of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31. In still other aspects, the amino acid substitutions are present in the g3p portion of the fusion protein (e.g., amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:13, or amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 296 of SEQ ID NO:31).

In other embodiments, the less immunogenic fusion protein is a variant of amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 505 or 506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 505 or 506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 508 or 509 of SEQ ID NO:13, or amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 527 or 528 of SEQ ID NO:31, wherein the variant differs from the recited amino acid sequence only by having 1 to 20 amino acid substitutions in the region of amino acids 22 or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 22 or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 22 or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:13, or amino acids 22 or 23 to 296 of SEQ ID NO:31, respectively. In some aspects of these embodiments, the fusion protein has from 1 to 10 amino acid substitutions. In other aspects, the fusion protein has from 1 to 5 amino acid substitutions.

The less immunogenic fusion proteins referred to above can be identified using well known deimmunizing processes. Typically, the g3p portions of the fusion proteins are screened to determine where they contain T-cell epitopes. Such potential T-cell epitopes are commonly defined as any amino acid residue sequence with the ability to bind to MHC Class II molecules. In other embodiments, the entire fusion protein is screed for T-cell epitopes.

In the art, methods have been provided to enable the detection of T-cell epitopes by computational means scanning for recognized sequence motifs in experimentally determined T-cell epitopes or alternatively using computational techniques to predict MHC class II-binding peptides and in particular DR-binding peptides. For example, WO98/52976 and WO00/34317 teach computational threading approaches to identifying polypeptide sequences with the potential to bind a subset of human MHC class II DR allotypes. WO08/044032 teaches screening a primary amino acid sequence against a database of known T-cell epitopes to identify T-cell epitopes in that sequence.

Alternatively, peptide portions of the protein to be deimmunized (e.g., the g3p portions of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 or SEQ ID NO:13) can be synthesized and tested in silico or in a cell assay or in vivo to determine if they bind to MHC molecules (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,147).

Once the predicted T-cell epitopes are identified, judicious amino acid substitution within the primary sequence of the g3p portion of the fusion protein of the invention is used in an attempt to decrease immunogenicity. These predicted deimmunized mutants of the g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13 and SEQ ID NO:31, are then re-screened for both activity and immunogenicity to identify those that retain activity, but have reduced or no immunogenicity as compared to the g3p portion of any of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 or SEQ ID NO:13. Typically, this will require substitution of from 1 to about 20 amino acids.

In all instances, the amyloid binding fragment of g3p in the fusion protein of the invention encompasses mutants and variants thereof.

In general, the fusion proteins bind to amyloid at least as effectively as the corresponding unlinked amyloid binding fragment of g3p. When applicable, the fusion proteins are at least as effective in mediating disaggregation of amyloid, promoting amyloid clearance, inhibiting amyloid aggregation, and/or removing or preventing the formation of toxic oligomers as the corresponding unlinked amyloid binding fragment of g3p. In some embodiments, the fusion protein binds amyloid and is at least as effective in mediating disaggregation of amyloid, promoting amyloid clearance, inhibiting amyloid aggregation, and/or removing or preventing the formation of toxic oligomers as is a recombinant, soluble g3p comprising SEQ ID NO:1. In still other embodiments, the fusion protein binds amyloid and is at least as effective in mediating disaggregation of amyloid, promoting amyloid clearance, inhibiting amyloid aggregation, and/or removing or preventing the formation of toxic oligomers as phage M13. In yet other embodiments, the fusion protein binds amyloid and is more effective in mediating disaggregation of amyloid, promoting amyloid clearance, inhibiting amyloid aggregation, and/or removing or preventing the formation of toxic oligomers than phage M13. In some embodiments, the fusion protein binds amyloid and is at least as effective in reducing amyloid in a protein misfolding disease as phage M13. In still other embodiments, the fusion protein binds amyloid and is more effective in reducing amyloid in a protein misfolding disease as phage M13. In still other embodiments, the fusion protein binds amyloid and is at least or more effective in preventing amyloid formation as phage M13.

Fusion proteins can be synthesized using techniques well known in the art. For example, the fusion proteins of the invention can be synthesized recombinantly in cells (see, e.g., Sambrook et al. 1989, Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, N.Y. and Ausubel et al. 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, N.Y.). Alternatively, the fusion proteins of the invention can be synthesized using known synthetic methods such as solid phase synthesis. Synthetic techniques are well known in the art (see, e.g., Merrifield, 1973, Chemical Polypeptides, (Katsoyannis and Panayotis eds.) pp. 335-61; Merrifield 1963, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149; Davis et al. 1985, Biochem. Intl. 10:394; Finn et al. 1976, The Proteins (3d ed.) 2:105; Erikson et al. 1976, The Proteins (3d ed.) 2:257; U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,763. Alternatively, the final construct may share essentially the same function as a recombinantly produced fusion protein, but simply be produced using non-recombinant techniques, such as ligation chemistry. Components of the fusion proteins may be prepared using the same general methodology described for g3p expression and g3p mutations.

D. Nucleic Acids Encoding g3p Fusion Proteins

In some embodiments, the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein of the invention comprising an amyloid binding fragment of g3p, wherein the g3p portion of the fusion protein comprises a mutant or variant amyloid binding fragment of g3p having an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% identical to the g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13 or SEQ ID NO:31. In one aspect of these embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence is selected from SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28 and SEQ ID NO:32 (actual nucleic acid sequences that encode SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, and SEQ ID NO:31, respectively), or a nucleic acid sequence that is degenerative to, but encodes the same polypeptide as any one of the foregoing. In another aspect of these embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the g3p-Ig encoding portion of SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28 or SEQ ID NO:32 (i.e., a nucleic acid sequence encoding any one of: amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 505, or 506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 505 or 506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 508 or 509 of SEQ ID NO:13 or amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 527 or 528 of SEQ ID NO:31) fused at its 5′ end and in frame to a nucleotide sequence that encodes a signal sequence, or a nucleic acid sequence that is degenerative to, but encodes the same polypeptide as any one of the foregoing. In some embodiments the signal sequence is mammalian.

In another aspect of these embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the g3p encoding portion of SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28 or SEQ ID NO:32 (i.e., a nucleic acid sequence encoding any one of: amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:13 or amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 296 of SEQ ID NO:31) fused at its 5′ end and in frame to a nucleotide sequence that encodes a signal sequence, or a nucleic acid sequence that is degenerative to, but encodes the same polypeptide as any one of the foregoing. In some embodiments the signal sequence is mammalian.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the g3p fusion protein comprises SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28 and SEQ ID NO:32, wherein the nucleic acids encoding the signal sequence (i.e., amino acids 1-20, 1-21, or 1-22 of any of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 11, 13, or 31) are excluded. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid that encodes a g3p fusion protein, but excludes the nucleotides encoding a signal sequence is selected from i) nucleotides 61, 64, or 67 to 1521 of any of SEQ ID NOs:26 or 27; ii) nucleotides 61, 64, or 67 to 1527 of SEQ ID NO:28; and iii) nucleotides 61, 64, or 67 to 1587 of SEQ ID NO:32. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence encodes a g3p N1N2 domain or mutant, variant or fragment thereof.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein comprising an amino acid sequence that has from 1 to 20 amino acid substitutions as compared to the g3p portion of any of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31, wherein the fusion protein is less immunogenic in a human than the g3p portion of any of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31. In some aspect of these embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence encodes a fusion protein has from 1 to 10 amino acid substitutions as compared to the g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31. In other aspects of these embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence encodes a fusion protein has from 1 to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11 SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31. In still other aspects of these embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence encodes a polypeptide wherein the amino acid substitutions are all present in the g3p portion of the fusion protein (e.g., amino acids 21, 22 or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21, 22 or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:13, or amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 296 of SEQ ID NO:31, or mutants, variants or fragments thereof).

In some embodiments, the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein that is a variant of any one of: amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 505 or 506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 505 or 506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 508 or 509 of SEQ ID NO:13, or amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 527 or 528 of SEQ ID NO:31, and less immunogenic than SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:31, wherein the variant differs from its corresponding amino acid sequence only by having 1 to 20 amino acid substitutions in the g3p region (i.e, amino acids 21, 22, or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 22 or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 22 or 23 to 238 of SEQ ID NO:13, or amino acids 22 or 23 to 296 of SEQ ID NO:31, respectively). In some aspects of these embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence encodes a fusion protein has from 1 to 10 such amino acid substitutions. In other aspects, the nucleic acid sequence encodes a fusion protein has from 1 to 5 amino such acid substitutions.

E. Mutant g3p Fusion Proteins

In another aspect, the invention relates to fusion proteins comprising mutant amyloid-binding fragments of g3p. Fusion proteins comprising mutant amyloid-binding fragments of g3p may be produced, or selected, for properties that contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of the pharmaceutical compositions described in this application. For example, amyloid-binding fragments of g3p may be recombinantly mutated or otherwise selected to possess one or more of the following properties relative to g3p of M13: increased affinity for amyloid binding, a reduced hinge T_(M), increased avidity (avidity being distinguished from affinity in that avidity is used to describe the sum of all available amyloid binding where a g3p comprises more than one amyloid binding site), increased ability to disaggregate amyloid aggregates, or increased ability to prevent aggregation of amyloid fibrils. Alternatively, or in addition, the mutant amyloid fragments of g3p may incorporate other useful properties described elsewhere in the description.

Mutant amyloid fragments of g3p can be produced by mutagenesis of phage, or by recombinant techniques, such as PCR-based site directed mutagenesis or random mutagenesis.

Amyloid binding fragments of g3p, e.g., N1N2 domains or N2 domains, may also be mutagenized using recombinant techniques and incorporated into fusion proteins of the invention. For example, a vector as described herein carrying g3p or an amyloid binding fragment thereof (e.g., N1N2 or N2) may be mutated using PCR-based mutagenesis strategies. The encoded, mutated protein is then expressed and amyloid binding and affinity of the mutants assessed as described.

Mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p may also be derived from mutant g3p. For example, by mutating g3p and/or selecting for a mutated g3p with desirable properties and then obtaining the desired amyloid binding fragment therefrom, e.g., by proteolysis and subsequent purification.

In some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein of the invention comprises a mutant amyloid-binding fragment of g3p that binds amyloid with an affinity that is at least 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or even 1000 higher than binding of the corresponding unmutated g3p fragment from M13, or of the corresponding unmutated g3p fusion protein. In other embodiments, the fusion protein comprising the mutant g3p amyloid-binding fragment retains amyloid-binding that is at least 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% as strong as binding of the corresponding unmutated amyloid-binding g3p fragment from M13, or of the corresponding unmutated g3p fusion protein. In some embodiments a mutant amyloid binding fragment of g3p that displays lower amyloid-binding affinity than the corresponding unmutated form also possesses another desirable biological (e.g., greater ability to disaggregate amyloid; greater ability to prevent aggregation of amyloid fibrils) or pharmaceutical (e.g., greater metabolic stability, favorable pharmacokinetic profile, greater solubility) property that is improved as compared to the corresponding unmutated form. Amyloid binding may be assessed by surface plasmon resonance or in a competitive ELISA, as described in the Examples.

In some embodiments, variants and/or mutants of amyloid fragments of g3p may be identified by screening DNA libraries using hybridization to M13 g3p to select related DNAs that hybridize to M13 g3p under either high stringency or moderate stringency conditions.

In some embodiments, a g3p fusion protein of the invention comprising a mutated amyloid fragment of g3p is recombinantly produced and comprises an amyloid binding fragment of g3p that differs from the unmutated g3p polypeptide by at least one amino acid residue but still binds amyloid. In some embodiments, individual point mutations are specified by providing the amino acid of the unmutated g3p at a particular residue of the g3p polypeptide and the replacement amino acid at that residue. For example, “F194A” means the phenylalanine at position 194 of the mature M13 sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) has been changed to an alanine. In other embodiments, a mutated g3p is described by specifying a percent amino acid similarity to a particular amino acid sequence, again with the caveat that the mutated g3p binds amyloid fibrils. In these embodiments, the mutated g3p portion of the fusion protein of the invention shares at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity over the full length of the corresponding portion of SEQ ID NO:1. In those embodiments of the invention comprising a mutated amyloid binding fragment of g3p, the mutated amyloid-binding fragment shares at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity over the full length of the corresponding fragment of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO: 31.

As a practical matter, whether any particular polypeptide is at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to another sequence can be determined conventionally using known computer programs, such the Bestfit program. When using Bestfit or other sequence alignment program to determine whether a particular sequence is, for instance, 95% identical to a reference sequence according to the present invention, the parameters are set, of course, that the percentage of identity is calculated over the full length of the portion of the reference amino acid sequence that is homologous to the query sequence.

In some embodiments of the various aspects, mutant amyloid binding fragments of the g3p portion of the g3p fusion proteins of the invention include no mutations at an amino acid residue that is conserved among the corresponding portion of g3p of the Ff family, the I-family, or both the Ff and I-families. In other embodiments, the mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p include at most mutations at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid residues that are conserved among the corresponding portion of g3p of the Ff family, the I-family, or both the Ff and I-families. In still other embodiments, the mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p include at most mutations at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid residues that are not conserved among the corresponding portion of g3p of the Ff family, the I-family, or both the Ff and I-families. In still another embodiment, the mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p include at most mutations at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid residues that are not conserved between the corresponding portion of one or more of 122, Ike, and If1. In yet other embodiments, the mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p include at most mutations at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid residues that are not conserved among the corresponding portion of g3p of the Ff family, the I-family, or both the Ff and I-families. In some embodiments, the at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mutations are located within the N1 domain. In some embodiments, the at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mutations are located within the N2 domain. In some embodiments, the at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mutations are located within the N2 domain and are not within the hinge region.

Site directed mutagenesis may target residues known to be important for stability of g3p, N1N2, or the N2 domain. For example, alanine replacement mutations at D94 and T95; E115; N122; L125; E126 and E127; E127 and E128; Q129; Q145; T154 and T156; Q157; T159 and D160; K163 and T164; Y166; and E196 and D197 have been previously shown to not significantly affect phage binding to F-pili, Deng & Perham, 2002. Accordingly, these positions are tolerant of mutation and a mutation at one or more of these positions may either enhance or have a neutral effect on the amyloid-binding ability in the g3p fusion proteins of the invention. Thus, in some embodiments, the invention includes a g3p fusion protein comprising a g3p amyloid-binding fragment that is mutated at one or more of D94, T95, E115, N122, L125, E126, E127, E128, Q129, Q145, T154, T156, Q157, T159, D160, K163, T164, Y166, E196, or D197 (relative to SEQ ID NO:1). In some embodiments, the mutation is at one or more of D94, T95, E115, N122, L125, E126, E127, E128, Q129, Q145, T154, T156, Q157, T159, D160, K163, T164, Y166, E196, or D197 is not exclusively a mutation to alanine.

Alanine replacement mutations at F194; F190 and H191; K184, R186, and D187; R142 and R144 have been previously shown to decrease binding to F-pili, Deng & Perham, 2002. Thus, in some embodiments, a mutation in the g3p portion of a fusion protein of the invention is chosen from a mutation that does not include one or more of the following residues: R142, R144, W181, K184, R186, D187, F190, H191, or F194 (numbering relative to SEQ ID NO:1). However, replacement of R142, R144, W181, K184, R186, D187, F190, H191, or F194 with a non-alanine residue may increase amyloid binding. Thus, in one embodiment, the mutation is a non-alanine mutation at one or more of R142, R144, W181, K184, R186, D187, F190, H191, or F194. In one embodiment, the mutation is a non-alanine mutation at F194. In another embodiment, the mutation is a non-alanine mutation at F190 and H191. In another embodiment, the mutation is a non-alanine mutation at K184, R186, and D187. In another embodiment, the mutation is a non-alanine mutation at W181. In another embodiment, the mutation is a non-alanine mutation at R142 and R144. In certain embodiments, the mutation is not exclusively one, some, or all of: T13I, T101I, Q129H, G153D, W181A, F190A, F194A, and D209Y.

In some embodiments, the mutation in the g3p portion of a fusion protein of the invention is at one or more residues located on the surface of the N2 domain, which is the portion of g3p that binds F-pili. In one embodiment, the mutation is at one or more residues located on the outer rim of the N2 domain. In other embodiments, the mutation is at one or more residues located on the surface of the N1 domain, which is the portion of g3p that binds TolA. In one embodiment, the mutation in the g3p portion of a fusion protein of the invention is at one or more residues located on the outer rim of the N1 domain. In another embodiment, the mutation is at one or more solvent accessible residues on g3p. In yet another embodiment, the mutation(s) shifts the cis/trans equilibrium at Pro213 to greater than 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 95% trans. Thus, in some embodiments, the g3p fusion protein comprises a mutated g3p with a cis/trans equilibrium at Pro213 that is at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, or at least 95% trans.

In some embodiments, the amyloid binding fragment of g3p in the g3p portion of a fusion protein of the invention does not include mutations at structurally conserved residues. Examples of structurally conserved residues include residues that, despite potential sequence insertions, are involved in providing domain structure in both Ff and I-family members.

In some embodiments, any mutation made in the g3p portion of a fusion protein of the invention preserves amyloid binding. In other embodiments, the mutation does not replace a proline residue.

In some embodiments, any mutation made in the g3p portion of a fusion protein of the invention preserves amyloid binding and does not replace a cysteine residue. In some embodiments, the mutation preserves all, at least one, at least two, at least three or all four of the disulphide bridges found within g3p. Thus, in one embodiment, any mutation preserves the two disulphide bridges in N1 between Cys7 and Cys36 and between Cys46 and Cys53. In another embodiment, any mutation preserves either, but not both, of the disulphide bridges in N1 between Cys7 and Cys36 and between Cys46 and Cys53. In one embodiment, the disulphide bridge between Cys188 and Cys201 is preserved. In some embodiments, each of the disulphide bridges Cys7 and Cys36, Cys46 and Cys53, and Cys188 and Cys201 are preserved. In one embodiment, the mutations preserve the disulphide bridge between Cys354 and Cys371. In some embodiments, the mutations preserve the disulphide bridges between Cys7 and Cys36, Cys46 and Cys53, Cys188 and Cys201, and Cys354 and Cys371.

In some embodiments, any mutation made in the g3p portion of a fusion protein of the invention preserves amyloid binding and decreases the melting temperature (T_(M)) of N1N2. T_(M) may be measured using any of the methods described in the Examples. Mutants that decrease the T_(M) of N1N2 are expected to exhibit better binding to Aβ, inhibit Aβ assembly to a greater extent, and to be at least as effective in a disaggregation assay as g3p of M13. Accordingly, such fusion proteins comprising these mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p are expected to be at least as efficacious therapeutically as the corresponding sequences in M13, fusion proteins comprising corresponding unmutated amyloid binding fragments of g3p, and intact M13, respectively, in treating one or more protein misfolding diseases.

Fusion proteins comprising mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p may also be designed to include a targeting sequence. Such targeting sequences may be inserted into the flexible linker regions between N1N2, or between N2 and another domain in an N2 fusion protein. Targeting nuclear localization sequences (NLS) might be beneficial in Huntington's disease. Targeting the endosome may be beneficial in Parkinson's disease.

In addition to targeting specific regions in the cell, targeting sequences may be used to target different kinds of amyloid. Nucleating sequences may increase affinity and direct the mutant protein to a particular amyloid. Other mutant amyloid binding fragments of g3p in the g3p fusion proteins of the invention may be prepared that include peptide sequences that are so hydrophobic that they precipitate on their own. For example, multiple AVVAI sequences can be added to g3p and or amyloid binding fragments thereof (e.g., N2 and N1N2) and/or their fusion proteins to generate chimeric proteins that have enhanced, multiple binding sequences. Some examples of peptides that bind amyloid and may be incorporated into the mutant or chimeric amyloid binding fragment of g3p, and fusion proteins comprising these mutant or chimeric amyloid binding fragments of g3p are the peptide inhibitors based on the GxFxGxF (SEQ ID NO:21) framework described in Sato, Biochemistry (2006) 45:5503-16 and the KLVFF (SEQ ID NO:22) peptide described in Tjernberg et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1996) 271:8545-48. Other targeting moieties are known and may also be used in the present invention. See, e.g., Sciarretta et al., Methods in Enzymology (2006) 413:273-312. The terms “variant” and “mutant” are used interchangeably herein except that a “variant” is typically non-recombinant in nature, whereas a “mutant” is typically recombinant.

Recombinant Techniques

In general, a DNA encoding a g3p fusion protein (as well as mutants and variants thereof) is prepared using conventional recombinant DNA techniques and may involve cloning of the g3p gene, direct DNA synthesis, or by isolating the corresponding DNA from a library using, for example, the M13 sequence as a probe. (See, e.g., Sambrook et al. 1989, Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, N.Y. and Ausubel et al. 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, N.Y.).

For recombinant production, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a g3p fusion protein of the invention, or amyloid binding fragment thereof is inserted into an appropriate expression vector which contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted coding sequence, or in the case of an RNA viral vector, the necessary elements for replication and translation. The encoding nucleic acid is inserted into the vector in proper reading frame.

Accordingly, the invention provides vectors comprising polynucleotides that encode the g3p fusion proteins disclosed herein, including mutants and variants thereof. Vectors comprising polynucleotides that encode a g3p or g3p-fusion molecule are also provided. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, DNA vectors, phage vectors, viral vectors, retroviral vectors, etc.

Exemplary cell types for recombinant expression include: insect cells, including the Baculovirus system; fungal cells, including Pichia, Saccharomyces, and Aspergillus cells; bacterial cells, including E. coli cells; animal cell lines, including NSO, CHO, HEK293, COS, HeLa, or any other established animal cell line; and transgenic animals, e.g., goat.

In some embodiments, a vector is selected that is optimized for expression of polypeptides in CHO or CHO-derived cells. Exemplary such vectors are described, e.g., in Running Deer et al., Biotechnol. Prog. (2004) 20:880-889.

In some embodiments, a vector is chosen for in vivo expression of g3p, amyloid binding fragment thereof and/or g3p fusion molecules in animals, including humans. In some such embodiments, expression of the polypeptide is under the control of a promoter that functions in a tissue-specific manner.

Expression vectors are transfected or co-transfected into a suitable target cell, which will express the polypeptides. Nonlimiting exemplary transfection methods are described, e.g., in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 3^(rd) ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2001). Nucleic acids may be transiently or stably transfected in the desired host cells, according to methods known in the art. A variety of host-expression vector systems may be utilized to express the proteins described herein including either prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. These include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA or plasmid DNA expression vectors containing an appropriate coding sequence; yeast or filamentous fungi transformed with recombinant yeast or fungi expression vectors containing an appropriate coding sequence; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing an appropriate coding sequence; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus or tobacco mosaic virus) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing an appropriate coding sequence; or animal cell systems, including mammalian cells (e.g., CHO, Cos, HeLa, or HEK-293 cells). The proteins may also be produced recombinantly in duckweed. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,022,270.

Vectors used in transformation will usually contain a selectable marker used to identify transformants. In bacterial systems, this can include an antibiotic resistance gene such as ampicillin or kanamycin. Selectable markers for use in cultured mammalian cells include genes that confer resistance to drugs, such as neomycin, hygromycin, and methotrexate. The selectable marker may be an amplifiable selectable marker. One amplifiable selectable marker is the DHFR gene. Another amplifiable marker is the DHFRr cDNA (Simonsen and Levinson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), (1983) 80:2495). Selectable markers are reviewed by Thilly (Mammalian Cell Technology, Butterworth Publishers, Stoneham, Mass.) and the choice of selectable markers is well within the level of ordinary skill in the art.

The expression elements of the expression systems vary in their strength and specificities. Depending on the host/vector system utilized, any of a number of suitable transcription and translation elements, including constitutive and inducible promoters, may be used in the expression vector. For example, when cloning in bacterial systems, inducible promoters such as pL of bacteriophage λ, plac, ptrp, ptac (ptrp-lac hybrid promoter) and the like may be used; when cloning in insect cell systems, promoters such as the baculovirus polyhedron promoter may be used; when cloning in plant cell systems, promoters derived from the genome of plant cells (e.g., heat shock promoters; the promoter for the small subunit of RUBISCO; the promoter for the chlorophyll a/b binding protein) or from plant viruses (e.g., the 35S RNA promoter of CaMV; the coat protein promoter of TMV) may be used; when cloning in mammalian cell systems, promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5 K promoter) may be used; when generating cell lines that contain multiple copies of expression product, SV40-, BPV- and EBV-based vectors may be used with an appropriate selectable marker.

In cases where plant expression vectors are used, the expression of sequences encoding linear or non-cyclized forms of the expression product of the invention may be driven by any of a number of promoters. For example, viral promoters such as the 35S RNA and 19S RNA promoters of CaMV (Brisson et al., Nature (1984) 310:511-514), or the coat protein promoter of TMV (Takamatsu et al., EMBO J. (1987) 6:307-311) may be used; alternatively, plant promoters such as the small subunit of RUBISCO (Coruzzi et al., EMBO J. (1984) 3:1671-1680; Broglie et al., Science (1984) 224:838-843) or heat shock promoters, e.g., soybean hsp17.5-E or hsp17.3-B (Gurley et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. (1986) 6:559-565) may be used. These constructs can be introduced into plant cells using Ti plasmids, Ri plasmids, plant virus vectors, direct DNA transformation, microinjection, electroporation, etc. For reviews of such techniques see, e.g., Weissbach & Weissbach 1988, Methods for Plant Molecular Biology, Academic Press, NY, Section VIII, pp. 421-463; and Grierson & Corey 1988, Plant Molecular Biology, 2d Ed., Blackie, London, Ch. 7-9.

In one insect expression system that may be used to produce proteins of the invention, Autographa californica nuclear polyhidrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express the foreign genes. The virus grows in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. A coding sequence may be cloned into non-essential regions (for example, the polyhedron gene) of the virus and placed under control of an AcNPV promoter (for example, the polyhedron promoter). Successful insertion of a coding sequence will result in inactivation of the polyhedron gene and production of non-occluded recombinant virus (i.e. virus lacking the proteinaceous coat coded for by the polyhedron gene). These recombinant viruses are then used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda cells in which the inserted gene is expressed. (see, e.g., Smith et al., J. Virol. (1983) 46:584; U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,051). Further examples of this expression system may be found in Ausubel et al., eds. 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 2, Greene Publish. Assoc. & Wiley Interscience.

In mammalian host cells, a number of viral based expression systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, a coding sequence may be ligated to an adenovirus transcription/translation control complex, e.g., the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. This fusion gene may then be inserted in the adenovirus genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion in a non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region E1 or E3) will result in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable of expressing peptide in infected hosts (see, e.g., Logan & Shenk, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) (1984) 81:3655). Alternatively, the vaccinia 7.5 K promoter may be used (see, e.g., Mackett et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) (1982) 79:7415; Mackett et al., J. Virol. (1984) 49:857; Panicali et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) (1982) 79:4927). Other viral expression systems include adeno-associated virus and lentiviruses.

Host cells containing the DNA constructs are grown in an appropriate growth medium. As used herein, the term “appropriate growth medium” means a medium containing nutrients required for the growth of cells. The recombinantly produced protein of the invention can be isolated from the culture media using techniques conventional in the art.

In Vitro Assays

In some embodiments, disaggregation of amyloid may be monitored using the Thioflavin T Fluorescence (ThT) assay.

In some embodiments, disaggregation is tested by monitoring detergent solubilization in the presence or absence of a fusion protein or composition of the invention. For example, aggregated α-synuclein can be treated with a composition of the invention. A fusion protein or composition that disaggregates the aggregated α-synuclein will cause the α-synuclein fibers to solubilize faster in detergents such as SDS, compared to untreated fibers. This conversion of the amyloid fibers into soluble forms can be monitored by incorporating a proportion of labeled (e.g., with Cy5) α-synuclein monomers during aggregation.

In some embodiments, preventing the formation of toxic amyloid oligomers is tested by a neuronal cell culture cytotoxicity assay. In this assay, differentiated N2a neuroblastoma cells or equivalents are coincubated with Aβ42 oligomers. The oligomers bind membranes and cause membrane perturbation and the leaking of cytosolic enzymes into the media. Prolonged incubation with high concentrations of oligomers will kill cells. When oligomers are pre-treated with phage or g3p prior to incubating with cells, the oligomers are at least less toxic and sometimes nontoxic. This neutralizing effect may be quantitated by measuring the release of adenylate kinase, one exemplary cytosolic enzyme released by the neuronal cells after membrane perturbation.

In some embodiments, a g3p fusion protein or composition of the invention inhibits conversion of soluble prion protein into proteinase K resistant conformer in the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) assay. Wang et al., Science, (2010) 327:1132-35. In this assay, recombinant PrP is mixed with the lipid POPG and RNA in either the presence or absence of a fusion protein or composition of the invention. The material is then subjected to multiple (e.g., 48) cycles of a 30 second sonication followed by 29.5 minute incubation. A fraction of the reaction mixture is then used to seed another substrate tube and the cycle repeated. Each round is tested for the presence of proteinase K resistant material, which is indicative of the infectious form of PrP. Reduction in proteinase K resistant material in the presence of a composition of the invention indicates that the fusion protein or composition inhibits formation of the PK resistant conformer.

As noted above, amyloid forms of certain prion proteins, such as yeast prion protein NM, can also be detected in the filter trap assay. Accordingly, depending upon the prior protein, in some embodiments the ability of a fusion protein or composition of the invention to disaggregate prion protein aggregates may be tested in the filter trap assay.

In Vivo Functional Assays

In addition to activities such as increased binding affinity for amyloid or decrease in T_(M), that can be demonstrated in in vitro assays, fusion proteins or compositions of the invention may also reduce amyloid in one of several in vivo assays. One method for determining amyloid reduction in vivo uses positron emission tomography (PET) with the imaging agent florbetapir (F18-AV-45, Eli Lilly) before and after treatment to compare the number and/or distribution of β-amyloid. Of course, as additional biomarkers are identified, they may also be used to measure reduction of amyloid.

Another method of determining whether a g3p fusion protein or composition of the invention reduces amyloid in vivo uses the hAPP mouse model. Rockenstein, J Neurosci Res. (2001) 66(4):573-82. These mice develop high levels of β-amyloid at an early age (3-4 months). The ability of a fusion protein or composition of the invention to reduce amyloid can be determined by injecting mice with a composition of the invention then comparing levels of amyloid in those mice compared to non-injected controls. It is also possible to inject a fusion protein or composition of the invention into only one hemisphere of an hAPP mouse, allowing comparison of amyloid levels between injected and non-injected hemispheres in the same mouse.

In another example, fusion protein or compositions of the invention are tested in the transgenic mouse model for Alzheimer's disease (TgAD) described in US2011/0142803, Hsiao et al., Science (1996) 274:99-102, or Duyckaerts et al., Acta Neuropathol (2008) 115:5-38. Briefly, wild type, as well as transgenic mice, are challenged. To assess the potential of a fusion protein or composition of the invention to act as disaggregating agent, a composition is injected intracranially or systemically to transgenic mice (Taconic, APPSWE(2576), 10 month-old). For example, for intracranial injection, compositions comprising the fusion proteins of the invention may be injected to one hemisphere, while to the contra-lateral side, phosphate-buffered-saline (PBS) is applied as a control. Treated mice are then sacrificed at different time points and brains post-fixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde, and cut using a microtome. Thioflavin-S (ThS) staining is performed to evaluate amyloid load. Sections are stained with Mayer's hematoxylin to quench nuclear autofluorescence and after washing ThS solution (1%) is applied for 3 minutes. Differentiation is done using 1% acetic acid for 20 min, and after washes the slides are dried and mounted with anti-fade mounting medium. Amyloid load is calculated using LEICA Qwin program. Alternatively, amyloid load can be assessed with an anti-amyloid antibody.

Biodistribution of radioactive (e.g., I¹²⁵) or fluorescently labeled fusion protein or compositions, or unlabeled fusion protein or compositions can also be measured to show that a fusion protein or composition of the invention binds amyloid in vivo. For example, the fusion protein may be radioactively or fluorescently labeled. BALB/c mice are divided into groups. Each mouse then receives intranasally fusion protein over an hour. The first group of mice is sacrificed an hour after administration of intra-cardial perfusion using 4% paraformaldehyde. The second group is sacrificed 3 hours post-treatment, and the last group, after 24 hours. After perfusion, brains as well as peripheral organs are removed and the label is measured. Alternatively, unlabeled fusion proteins or compositions can be assessed for binding using similar methods but co-staining brain sections with a stain that recognizes amyloid and a stain that recognizes the composition or phage.

Other transgenic models of protein misfolding disease may also be used to demonstrate that a fusion protein or composition of the invention reduces amyloid. Non limiting examples include the “D line” α-synuclein mice (a model of Parkinson's disease, Masliah et al., Science (2000) 287:1265-1269); Tg2576 mice (a model of Alzheimer's disease, Hsiao et al., Science (1996) 274:99-102 and Duyckaerts et al., Acta Neuropathol (2008) 115:5-38 at 9); various Jax® Mice for Parkinson's Disease Research (Jackson Laboratories, Bar Harbor, Me.); and mouse and rat models available from JSW Lifescience, including those for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In another aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising any of the g3p fusion proteins described above, including the fusion proteins of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, or SEQ ID NO:31, or fragments, mutants or variants thereof. In particular, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may comprise amino acids 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO:9, or amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:9: or mutants or variants of any of these sequences as described above. In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may comprise amino acids 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:11, amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO:11, or amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:11; amino acids 21-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 22-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 23-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 21-507 of SEQ ID NO:13, amino acids 22-507 of SEQ ID NO:13, or amino acids 23-507 of SEQ ID NO:13; or amino acids 21-528 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 22-528 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 23-528 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 21-527 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 22-527 of SEQ ID NO:31, or amino acids 23-527 of SEQ ID NO:31 or mutants or variants of any of these sequences as described above.

A “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a therapeutically effective amount of a g3p fusion protein as described herein with a physiologically suitable carrier and/or excipient, wherein the g3p portion of the fusion protein is responsible for the therapeutic effect of the fusion protein. A pharmaceutical composition does not cause significant irritation to an organism. The phrases “physiologically acceptable carrier” and “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” which may be used interchangeably refer to a carrier or a diluent that does not cause significant irritation to an organism and does not abrogate the biological activity and properties of the administered composition.

The term “excipient” refers to an inert substance added to a pharmaceutical composition to further facilitate administration of an active ingredient. Examples, without limitation, include, for example, saline, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars and types of starch, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, vegetable oils, polyethylene glycols, and surfactants, including, for example, polysorbate 20.

Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention may be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries, which facilitate processing of the g3p active ingredients into compositions which can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen and upon the nature of the composition delivered.

Suitable routes of administration for the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may, for example, include transmucosal, especially transnasal delivery; parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections; oral; or rectal delivery.

In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition is administered in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the pharmaceutical composition directly into the brain of a patient. In some embodiments, the injection technique is any technique that avoids the blood-brain barrier, for example, by direct intramedullary, intrathecal, or intraventricular injection.

For injection, the active ingredients of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hank's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological salt buffer. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention is administered via intranasal administration. Intranasal delivery has been reported to enable the direct entry of viruses and macromolecules into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or CNS. Mathison et al., 1998; Chou et al., 1997; Draghia et al., 1995.

For administration by the intranasal route, compositions are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray from a pressurized pack or a nebulizer with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichloro-tetrafluoroethane or carbon dioxide. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, e.g., gelatin for use in a dispenser may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

The various fusion proteins described herein as components of pharmaceutical compositions may also be delivered to the brain using olfactory receptor neurons as a point of delivery. For example, an adenovirus vector comprising a gene encoding any of those proteins may be delivered via olfactory receptor neurons. Draghia et al., 1995.

The compositions described herein may be formulated for parenteral administration, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the composition in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active ingredients may be prepared as oily or water based injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acids esters such as ethyl oleate, triglycerides or liposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances, which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents (e.g., surfactants such as polysorbate (Tween 20)) which increase the solubility of the active ingredients to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. A protein based agent such as, for example, albumin may be used to prevent adsorption of M13 to the delivery surface (i.e., IV bag, catheter, needle, etc.).

For oral administration, the compositions can be formulated readily by combining the active compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art.

Formulations may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in vials, ampoules or in multidose containers with optionally, an added preservative. The compositions may be suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Single dosage forms may be in a liquid or a solid form. Single dosage forms may be administered directly to a patient without modification or may be diluted or reconstituted prior to administration. In certain embodiments, a single dosage form may be administered in bolus form, e.g., single injection, single oral dose, including an oral dose that comprises multiple tablets, capsule, pills, etc. In alternate embodiments, a single dosage form may be administered over a period of time, such as by infusion, or via an implanted pump, such as an ICV pump. In the latter embodiment, the single dosage form may be an infusion bag or pump reservoir pre-filled with fusion protein. Alternatively, the infusion bag or pump reservoir may be prepared just prior to administration to a patient by mixing a single dose of the fusion protein with the infusion bag or pump reservoir solution.

Another aspect of the invention includes methods for preparing a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Techniques for formulation of drugs may be found, for example, in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., latest edition, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the context of the present invention include compositions wherein the g3p active ingredients are contained in an amount effective to achieve the intended purpose. Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise g3p fusion proteins, wherein the g3p portion of the fusion protein is in an amount effective to reduce amyloid, inhibit amyloid formation, inhibit amyloid aggregation, or remove and/or prevent the formation of toxic oligomers in a patient in need thereof. The composition does not comprise a bacteriophage.

Determination of a therapeutically or diagnostically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.

Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provide brain levels of the phage display vehicle which are sufficient to treat or diagnose a particular brain disease, disorder, or condition (minimal effective concentration, MEC). The MEC will vary for each preparation, but can be estimated from in vitro data. Dosages necessary to achieve the MEC will depend on individual characteristics.

Dosage intervals can also be determined using the MEC value. Preparations should be administered using a regimen, which maintains brain levels above the MEC for 10-90% of the time, preferable between 30-90% and most preferably 50-90%.

Depending on the severity and responsiveness of the condition to be treated, dosing can be of a single or a plurality of administrations, with course of treatment lasting from several days to several weeks or until cure is effected or diminution of the disease state is achieved.

The amount of a composition to be administered will, of course, be dependent on the subject being treated or diagnosed, the severity of the affliction, the judgment of the prescribing physician, etc.

Compositions of the present invention comprising g3p fusion proteins or mutants or variants of thereof described herein may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device, such as an FDA approved kit, which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The pack may, for example, comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for administration. The pack or dispenser may also be accommodated by a notice associated with the container in a form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals, which notice is reflective of approval by the agency of the form of the compositions or human or veterinary administration. Such notice, for example, may be of labeling approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prescription drugs or of an approved product insert. Compositions comprising a preparation of the invention formulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier may also be prepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition, as if further detailed above.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing and following description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

Therapeutic Uses

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of any of the g3p fusion proteins or compositions of the invention in the treatment and/or prevention of protein misfolding diseases, including, but not limited to, those diseases involving any of fAβ42, fαsyn, fNM, or ftau.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of any of the g3p fusion proteins or compositions of the invention to reduce amyloid, inhibit amyloid formation, inhibit amyloid aggregation, and/or remove and/or prevent the formation of toxic oligomers in a patient in need thereof.

In the context of treatments and/or preventions, the terms “patient”, “subject” and “recipient” are used interchangeably and include humans as well as other mammals. In some embodiments, a patient is a human who is positive for a biomarker associated with a protein misfolding disease. In one embodiment, the patient exhibits β-amyloid deposits as detected by PET imaging with florbetapir.

The term “treating” is intended to mean reducing, slowing, or reversing the progression of a disease in a patient exhibiting one or more clinical symptoms of a disease. “Treating” is also intended to mean reducing, slowing, or reversing the symptoms of a disease in a patient exhibiting one more clinical symptoms of a disease. In one embodiment, the patient exhibits β-amyloid deposits as detected by PET imaging with florbetapir and the number of β-amyloid deposits is reduced by the treatment. In one embodiment, the patient exhibits β-amyloid deposits as detected by the g3p compositions of the present invention and the number of β-amyloid deposits are reduced or maintained by the treatment. In another embodiment, the patient exhibits any type of amyloid deposits as detected by PET imaging and the cognitive function of the patient is improved by the treatment. Improvement in cognitive function may be assayed by the methods and tests of McKhann et al., Alzheimer's & Dementia (2011) May; 7(3):263-9.

“Prophylaxis” is distinct from treating and refers to administration of a composition to an individual before the onset of any clinical symptoms. As used herein use of the g3p fusion protein or composition of the invention “prophylactically” is synonemous with use of the g3p fusion protein or composition of the invention “preventively.” Prophylaxis using any of the fusion proteins or compositions of the present invention is encompassed. Prophylaxis may be implicated in individuals who are known to be at increased risk for a disease, or whom are certain to develop a disease, solely on the basis of one or more genetic markers. Many genetic markers have been identified for the various protein misfolding diseases. For examples, individuals with one or more of the Swedish mutation, the Indiana mutation, or the London mutation in human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) are at increased risk for developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease and so are candidates for prophylaxis. Likewise, individuals with the trinucleotide CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene, particularly those with 36 or more repeats, will eventually develop Huntington's disease and so are candidates for prophylaxis.

The term “protein misfolding” refers to diseases characterized by formation of amyloid protein by an aggregating protein (amyloid forming peptide), such as, but not limited to, β-amyloid, serum amyloid A, cystatin C, IgG kappa light chain, or a prion protein. Diseases known to be associated with misfolded and/or aggregated amyloid protein include Alzheimer's disease, which includes early onset Alzheimer's disease, late onset Alzheimer's disease, and presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, SAA amyloidosis, cystatin C, hereditary Icelandic syndrome, senility, multiple myeloma, prion diseases including but not limited to kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease (GSS), fatal familial insomnia (FFI), scrapie, and bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE); amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA1), (SCA3), (SCA6), (SCA7), Huntington disease, entatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, hereditary cerebral amyloid angiopathy, familial amyloidosis, frontotemporal lobe dementia, British/Danish dementia, and familial encephalopathy. The g3p fusion proteins and compositions of the invention may be used to treat “protein misfolding” diseases.

Many of these misfolded and/or aggregated amyloid protein diseases occur in the central nervous system (CNS). Some examples of diseases occurring in the CNS are Parkinson's disease; Alzheimer's disease; frontotemporal dementia (FTD) including those patients having the following clinical syndromes: behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD), progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA) and semantic dementia (SD); frontotemporal lobar degenerations (FTLDs); and Huntington's disease. The g3p fusion proteins or compositions of the invention may be used to treat diseases characterized by misfolded and/or aggregated amyloid protein that occur in the central nervous system (CNS).

Misfolding and/or aggregation of proteins may also occur outside the CNS. Amyloidosis A (AA) (for which the precursor protein is serum acute phase apolipoprotein, SAA) and multiple myeloma (precursor proteins immunoglobulin light and/or heavy chain) are two widely known protein misfolding and/or aggregated protein diseases that occur outside the CNS. Other examples include disease involving amyloid formed by β₂-microglobulin, transthyretin (Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy [FAP], Familial Amyloidotic Cardiomyopathy [FAC], and Senile Systemic Amyloidosis [SSA]), (apo)serum AA, apolipoproteins AI, AII, and AIV, gelsolin (Finnish form of Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy), lysozyme, fibrinogen, cystatin C (Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis, Icelandic Type), (pro)calcitonin, islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP amyloidosis), atrial natriuretic factor, prolactin, insulin, lactahedrin, kerato-epithelin, lactoferrin, odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein, and semenogelin I. The g3p fusion protein or compositions of the invention may be used to treat diseases involving misfolding and/or aggregation of proteins that occur outside the CNS.

Neurodegenerative diseases may also involve tau lesions. (Reviewed in Lee et al. (2001) Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 24:1121-159). Tau proteins are microtubule-associated proteins expressed in axons of both central and peripheral nervous system neurons. Neurodegenerative tauopathies (sometimes referred to as tauopathies) are encompassed, and may be treated by the g3p fusion proteins and compositions described herein. Examples of tauopathies include Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex, Argyrophilic grain dementia, Corticobasal degeneration, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Dementia pugilistica, diffuse neurofibrillary tangles with calcification, Down's syndrome, Frontotemporal dementias including frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, Hallervorden-Spatz disease, Myotonic dystrophy, Niemann-Pick disease type C, Non-Guamanian motor neuron disease with neurofibrillary tangles, Pick's disease, Postencephalitic parkinsonism, Prion protein cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Progressive subcortical gliosis, Progressive supranuclear palsy, Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, and Tangle only dementia. Some of these diseases may also include deposits of fibrillar amyloid β peptides. For example, Alzheimer's disease exhibits both amyloid β deposits and tau lesions. Similarly, prion-mediated diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, prion protein cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome may have also have tau lesions. Thus an indication that a disease is a “tauopathy” should not be interpreted as excluding the disease from other neurodegenerative disease classifications or groupings, which are provided merely as a convenience. The g3p fusion protein or compositions of the invention may be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases as well as diseases involving tau lesions.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation as described herein is for use in a method of reducing amyloid in a patient exhibiting symptoms related to the presence of amyloid or that is positive for a biomarker associated with a protein misfolding disease, such as florbetapir (AV-45, Eli Lilly). In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation as described herein is for use in a method of maintaining the level of amyloid in a patient exhibiting symptoms related to the presence of amyloid or that is positive for a biomarker associated with a protein misfolding disease, such as florbetapir (AV-45, Eli Lilly). The patient is administered an effective amount of a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition, or formulation as described herein. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation is for use in a method of disaggregating amyloid in a patient comprising administering to a patient having amyloid an effective amount of a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation as described herein. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation is for use in a method of causing the disaggregation of β-amyloid deposits in the brain, comprising injecting directly into the brain of a patient in need thereof an effective amount of pharmaceutical composition as described herein, thereby causing a reduction in β-amyloid deposits in the brain.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation is for use in a method of reducing amyloid formation in the brain. Reducing amyloid formation in the brain may prevent, treat or reduce the symptoms or severity of a protein-misfolding or neurodegenerative disease. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the invention is for use in a method for promoting amyloid clearance in the brain. Promoting amyloid clearance may prevent, treat or reduce the symptoms or severity of a protein-misfolding or neurodegenerative disease. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the invention is for use in a method for inhibiting amyloid aggregation in the brain. Inhibiting amyloid aggregation in the brain may prevent, treat or reduce the symptoms or severity of a protein-misfolding or neurodegenerative disease. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the invention is for use in a method for clearing toxic amyloid oligomers in the brain. Clearing toxic amyloid oligomers in the brain may prevent, treat or reduce the symptoms or severity of a protein-misfolding or neurodegenerative disease. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the invention is for use in a method for preventing the formation of toxic amyloid oligomers in the brain. Preventing the formation of toxic oligomers in the brain may prevent, treat or reduce the symptoms or severity of a protein-misfolding or neurodegenerative disease. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery.

In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the invention is for use in a method for protecting neurons from amyloid damage. Protecting neurons from amyloid damage may prevent, treat or reduce the symptoms or severity of a protein-misfolding or neurodegenerative disease. In one embodiment, the route of administration is selected from intrathecal injection, direct intraventricular injection, intraparenchymal injection, or intranasal delivery. In one embodiment, a g3p fusion protein, pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the invention for use in protecting neurons from amyloid damage is given prophylactically.

In some embodiments, the patient is positive for a biomarker associated with a protein misfolding and/or aggregation disease. In one embodiment, the biomarker is florbetapir (AV45, Eli Lilly).

In some embodiments, the patient is exhibiting symptoms of a neurodegenerative disease that is associated with the presence of amyloid. In various embodiments, the amyloid is any of fAβ42, fαsyn, fNM, or ftau.

In certain embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or Huntington's disease. In one embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease. In one embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease and the patient exhibits β-amyloid as detected by the imaging agent florbetapir (AV-45, Eli Lilly).

In some embodiments, the patient is exhibiting symptoms of a prion-mediated disease.

In certain embodiments, the prion-mediated disease is chosen from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia, or Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome.

In some embodiments, the patient is exhibiting symptoms of a neurodegenerative tauopathy other than Alzheimer's disease. In certain embodiments, the disease to be treated is selected from Argyrophilic grain dementia, Corticobasal degeneration, Dementia pugilistica, diffuse neurofibrillary tangles with calcification, Down's syndrome, Frontotemporal dementias including frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, Hallervorden-Spatz disease, Myotonic dystrophy, Niemann-Pick disease type C, Non-Guamanian motor neuron disease with neurofibrillary tangles, Pick's disease, Postencephalitic parkinsonism, Progressive subcortical gliosis, Progressive supranuclear palsy, Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, and Tangle only dementia.

Diagnostics

In another aspect of the invention, the g3p fusion proteins and compositions described herein, are used in vitro and/or in vivo in diagnostic applications associated with the various diseases described herein. For example, binding of a g3p fusion protein or composition of the invention when used as an imaging agent either in vivo or in vitro may be part of a diagnosis of one of the protein misfolding diseases described.

Diagnostic agents, otherwise referred to herein as diagnostic compositions, are encompassed, and may comprise any of the above-described fusion proteins or compositions of the invention. The diagnostic agent may further comprise a detectable label, or may be otherwise detected in vivo.

In some embodiments, g3p fusion protein of the invention or a composition comprising the fusion protein is used as an amyloid imaging agent. The imaging agent can detect amyloid and diagnose diseases associated with amyloid. Because the fusion proteins and compositions of the invention bind amyloid irrespective of the type of fiber, they are advantageous in that they can image any amyloid aggregate (Aβ, tau, α-synuclein, etc.)—all with a single imaging agent. At present, there are no acceptable imaging agents/methods for tau or alpha synuclein aggregates in the CNS. And while imaging agents for β-amyloid exist, there is still a need for additional agents that may provide improved correlation between cognitive function and imaging results and/or that better predict which patients will deteriorate versus remain stable. For a review, see Resnick & Sojkova, Alzheimer's Res Ther. (2011) 3(1):3.

The diagnostic g3p fusion proteins and compositions of the invention may be used as imaging agents in combination with an imaging agent that is specific for β-amyloid such as, for example, F18-AV-45, Eli Lilly. Since there are currently no known imaging agents for non-β-amyloid aggregates, the use of a diagnostic composition of the invention together with a β-amyloid-specific imaging agent will result in the detection of non-β-amyloid aggregates based on differential detection. Thus, in one embodiment, a diagnostic g3p fusion protein or composition of the invention is used as an imaging agent in combination with a β-amyloid imaging agent to detect non-β-amyloid aggregates.

In another embodiment, a diagnostic composition of the invention is used as an imaging agent to detect β-amyloid in the CNS, including the brain.

A diagnostic composition of the invention generally requires that the amyloid-binding fusion protein component be attached to one or more detectable labels when it is used as an imaging agent. Various labels can be attached to the amyloid binding component of the diagnostic composition using standard techniques for labeling proteins. Examples of labels include fluorescent labels and radiolabels. There are a wide variety of radiolabels that can be used, but in general the label is often selected from radiolabels including, but not limited to, ¹⁸F, ¹¹C, and ¹²³I. These and other radioisotopes can be attached to the protein using well known chemistry. In one embodiment, the label is detected using positron emission tomography (PET). However, any other suitable technique for detection of radioisotopes may also be used to detect the radiotracer.

Diagnostic compositions of the invention may be administered using the same routes described for therapeutic compositions. In one embodiment, intrathecal administration is used as the route for administering the diagnostic composition. In another embodiment, intravenous administration is used as the route for administering the diagnostic composition.

EXAMPLES

Although the demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of filamentous phage as binding and anti-aggregation agents is not contingent upon any particular mechanism of action, understanding the mechanism permits the design of phage with greater therapeutic efficacy. In addition, it serves as a basis for preparing additional anti-aggregation agents.

As noted previously, M13 has been shown to bind to and disaggregate at least four different amyloid fibers: amyloid-β 1-42 fibers (fAβ42), α-synuclein fibers (fαsyn), yeast prion NM fibers (fNM), and tau fibers (ftau). The four proteins that make up these amyloid fibers have unrelated primary amino acid sequence, but all four are misfolded into the canonical amyloid fold. Eichner & Radford, 2011. The ability of M13 to bind to and mediate disaggregation of each of these indicates that M13 recognizes a structural motif, such as cross-beta sheet conformation or a conformational feature such as hydrophobic groves, both of which are defining characteristics of all amyloid fibers.

But amyloid disaggregation is not a general property of all phage. For example, the structurally distinct icosahedral phage T7 does not mediate disaggregation of fAβ42, even when T7 is incubated with fAβ42 for 3 days at 37° C. Bacteriophage T7 did not show any dissociation activity even at concentrations at which M13 dissociates over 70% of the co-incubated amyloid fibers. In contrast, the bacteriophage fd, which carries a negatively charged amino acid in its g8p compared to M13 (and therefore displays 2800 more negative charges/phage than M13 given the copy number of g8p), bound and disaggregated fAβ42 similar to M13. These initial studies, along with the finding that amyloid disaggregation could also be mediated by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) E. coli pili, and the tail tubes of T4, all of which also have a helical cylinder shape and repeating units (see US 2011/0182948), suggested that it may be the shape of the phage that is critical for its amyloid fiber-disassociation activity.

However, the following examples describe an alternate (although not mutually exclusive) mechanism for the reported binding and anti-aggregation property of filamentous phage. Based on these examples and the mechanism of action they support, g3p fusion proteins having improved binding to amyloid are provided.

Example 1 M13 Phage Preferentially Binds Aβ Fibrils

Binding of M13 to Aβ3 fibrils versus Aβ monomers was determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

M13 phage preferentially binds Aβ fibrils; it does not bind Aβ monomers. Surface plasmon resonance studies using 10¹⁴ phage/mL flowed across a biosensor chip with immobilized fAβ are reported in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows that the K_(D) of M13 binding is about 4 nM, which is comparable to binding by a monoclonal antibody. This high affinity interaction indicates that a specific binding process is occurring between phage and the amyloid fiber.

Example 2 Binding of M13 to Ab Fibrils is Dose Dependent

M13 binding to fAβ42 is also dose dependent. In FIG. 4A, the binding of two phage doses with increasing molar amounts of fAβ42 was compared. In this M13-Amyloid fiber binding assay, M13-Alexa488 was mixed with Aβ (fAβ) for 2-3 hours to allow complexes to form, then the complex sedimented by centrifugation at 7500 rpm for 10 minutes. The fluorescence in the pellet was proportional to the M13 bound to the amyloid. This assay provides both a quantitative measure of binding of phage to fAβ and provides a system for assessing the ability of other agents to compete with phage for binding. FIG. 4B shows that the K_(D) for M13 binding competition is similar to that observed for binding using surface plasmon resonance.

Example 3 Binding of M13 to Aβ Fibrils Requires Native Conformation

When M13 phage is heated at 90° C. for 10 minutes, its ability to compete for binding is essentially abrogated. FIG. 5 shows binding competition results using heat treated (boxes) versus native conformation (circles) M13 in the amyloid fiber competition binding assay.

Example 4 Temperature Correlates with M13-Amyloid Interactions

M13 potently disaggregates amyloid fibers. FIG. 6 shows a Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay using fAβ. In the presence of M13, fAβ42 disaggregates.

FIG. 7A shows that changing the salt concentration in the ThT fluorescence 10 fold (from 0.15 to 1.5 M) results in only a 2-3 fold difference in the percentage of fAβ that is disaggregated. This indicates that hydrophobic interactions are responsible for most of the disaggregation observed.

In contrast to the relatively minor effect of salt concentration, FIG. 7B shows that changing the temperature from 4° C. to 37° C. results in an 8-10 fold difference in disaggregation.

These results indicate that M13 disaggregation is dependent on a protein that is more active at a higher temperature and that is relatively insensitive to the effect of salt in the assay, implying a hydrophobic interaction. Phage g3p fits this description. Its N1 and N2 domains are linked by a flexible glycine-rich linker that “opens” up following binding of N2 to the bacterial F-pilus. N1 is then available for binding a bacterial co-receptor as part of the infection process. Increasing the temperature in the disaggregation assay is expected to “open” up the N2 and N1 domains of g3p.

While inactivating M13 at high temperature (90° C., 10 minutes, see FIG. 5) abrogates binding, increasing the incubation temperature in the M13-amyloid binding assay has a positive effect on binding. FIG. 8A shows that increasing the temperature from 18° C. to 58° C. results in progressively better binding up to about the hinge unfolding T_(M) of about 50° C., at which point binding begins to decrease. This optimal binding temperature is consistent with the temperature of the N1-N2 unfolding (the so-called melting temperature, or T_(M)) in g3p, which is 48.1° C. Increasing the incubation temperature to 50° C. vs 37° C. also results in more rapid binding of M13 to fAβ42. FIG. 8B.

Example 5 g3p is Required for M13-β-Amyloid Interaction

To directly test whether g3p is required for M13-β-amyloid interaction, g3p was removed from phage by proteolytic treatment with ArgC (M13Δg3p) and the M13Δg3p phage compared to refolded phage for Aβ binding. Treatment with ArgC, a Bacillus protease, selectively removes the g3p subunits from phage. The results are presented in FIG. 9A. Refolded M13 still competes with wild type M13 in the competition binding assay, albeit at a decreased level. However, even 15 fold of M13Δg3p competed poorly, if at all with wild type M13. This inability to compete with wild type M13 is consistent with a loss of infectivity in the M13Δg3p phage. FIG. 9B. ArgC treatment also caused a loss of disaggregation activity. FIG. 9C.

If g3p is mediating binding in a manner analogous to its role in infection, then the N1 and N2 domains that are important for infection should also compete with M13 for binding. To test this, recombinant soluble N1N2 (“rs-g3p(N1N2)”; “Construct 3”) was prepared and tested in the competition assay. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, M13 competes with the labeled M13 for binding to fAβ42, but M13Δg3p does not. In contrast, rs-g3p(N1N2) was able to compete with M13, indicating that the N1 and N2 domains of g3p are sufficient for β-amyloid binding. Similar results were obtained in a repeat of the competition assay. FIG. 10B.

Example 6 g3p Hinge Unfolding Mutations Modulate Amyloid Binding

Mutations that affect the ability of the hinge between the N1 and N2 domains of g3p to open up should also affect the ability of phage bearing those mutations to compete with wild type M13 for binding to Aβ. Eckert & Schmid, 2007, described several variant phage that were used to test this hypothesis. Variant “AAA” (also known as “3A”) impairs pilus binding and decreases the stability of the N2 domain. AAA carries the following mutations in g3p: W181A, F190A, and F194A. IIHY contains the mutations T13I, T101I, Q129H, and D209Y, which stabilize the N2 domain and increase T_(M).

Binding competition was assessed for phage fd, which has the same amino acid sequence as M13 g3p in the N1 and N2 domains (FIG. 2); IIHY, which has a higher hinge Tm than M13, and AAA. Phages fd, AAA, and IIHY were pre-activated at 50° C. for 1.5 hours, then activated and non-activated Fd, AAA, & IIHY were compared for their ability to compete with labeled M13. FIG. 11 presents the results. Wild type fd was a better competitor when activated by heating. In contrast, heating had little effect on IIHY, which has a higher hinge Tm. AAA, which has decreased N2 domain stability relative to M13, was a better competitor with or without heat pretreatment.

These data support the conclusion that the interaction of M13 with β-amyloid is via a mechanism similar to that by which M13 infects bacteria. First, they indicate that hydrophobic interactions are important for the M13-β-amyloid interaction. Second, the temperature dependence of M13 binding and disaggregation activities reflect the N1-N2 hinge unfolding Tm. Third, selective proteolysis of g3p abrogates M13-β-amyloid interactions.

Example 7 A g3p Fragment Selectively & Potently Binds Amyloid, but not Monomers

To assess whether a g3p fragment retains the ability to bind to amyloid, a g3p fragment comprising N1 and N2 was prepared and assessed for its ability to bind Aβ fibrils versus Aβ monomers by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The results indicate that rs-g3p(N1N2) preferentially binds Aβ fibrils; it does not bind Aβ monomers. Surface plasmon resonance studies using 4 μM rs-g3p(N1N2) are reported in FIG. 13, which also shows the K_(D) of rs-g3p(N1N2) binding to be about 160 nM. This high affinity interaction indicates that a specific binding process is occurring between rs-g3p(N1N2) and the amyloid fiber.

Additional constructs were assessed by SPR. The table below summarizes the results.

Analytes ka (1/M · s) kd (1/s) K_(D) Construct 1  2.6e3  9.2e−6 3.59 nM M13 Construct 3  1.5e3  2.4e−4 0.15 uM rs-G3P(N1N2), 25° C. Construct 3  4.1e3   2e−4 0.05 uM rs-G3P(N1N2), preheated at 37° C. Construct 4 1.75e4 1.28e−4 7.32 nM rs-g3p (N1N2)- hIgG4Fc fusion protein, 25° C. Construct 5 1.52e4 1.66e−4 10.9 nM rs-g3p (N1N2)- hIgG4Fc fusion protein, 25° C. Construct 6 1.71e4 1.58e−4  9.2 nM N1N2-IgG1Fc fusion protein, 25° C.

Example 8 A g3p Fragment Potently Blocks the Ability of Aβ42 Fibers to a Assemble

To test whether a g3p fragment can block the assembly of amyloid fibers, rs-g3p(N1N2) was tested in a ThT fluorescence assay for its ability to prevent assembly of fAβ42 fibrils. The results indicate that rs-g3p(N1N2) potently blocks the assembly of Aβ42. FIG. 14A shows the results of this experiment, that rs-g3p(N1N2) prevents assembly of Aβ42 into fibers in a dose dependent fashion. FIG. 14B shows the IC₅₀ to be approximately 20 nM.

In a separate experiment, A42 was incubated with or without rs-g3p(N1N2) at a concentration of 2 μM for seven days at 37° C. and the integrity of the Aβ42 fibers was assessed by transmission electron micrography. FIG. 15A shows the results of this experiment, that rs-g3p(N1N2) blocks the ability of Aβ42 to assemble into amyloid fibers. FIG. 15B reports the results of a ThT assay on these same samples.

Example 9 rs-g3p(N1N2) Blocks α-Synuclein, Ftau, and Aβ Assembly and a g3p-Ig Fusion Protein Blocks Assembly and Inhibits Aggregation of Aβ

To determine whether g3p can block α-synuclein fiber assembly, and also to determine whether the valency (i.e., the number of copies of g3p) plays a role, an assay testing the ability of pentameric g3p (5 copies of g3p) and monomeric g3p (one copy of g3p) to block α-synuclein activity was conducted. The results show that g3p blocks α-synuclein fiber assembly, and that pentameric g3p is more efficient than monomeric g3p at this activity. See FIG. 16.

The ability of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3) and a representative g3p fusion protein, rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6), to inhibit assembly of Aβ42 was also assessed. As shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, Construct 3 and Construct 6 are capable of inhibiting the assembly of fAβ42 in a dose-dependent fashion. As shown in FIG. 37, Construct 3 and Construct 6 are capable of inhibiting fAβ42 aggregation.

The ability of rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3) to inhibit assembly of ftau was also assessed. As shown in FIG. 44A and FIG. 44B, Construct 3 is capable of inhibiting the assembly of ftau in a dose-dependent fashion.

Example 10 A g3p Fusion Protein Binds to and Disaggregates Aβ

To assess whether g3p valency plays a role in the potency of g3p binding to amyloid, an Ig fusion protein that is bivalent for rs-g3p(N1N2) (“rs-g3p(N1N2)-Ig fusion”) was made and compared with pentavalent M13 for its ability to bind to Aβ fibers. As shown in FIG. 17, rs-g3p(N1N2)-Ig fusion binds to Aβ with similar affinity as M13, and more potently than rs-g3p(N1N2) alone, indicating that the valency of g3p may be important. Similar results were obtained in a repeat of the competition assay. FIG. 18. In FIG. 18, the squares represent Construct 2 (M13); the triangles represent Construct 3 (rs-g3p(N1N2)); the upside down triangles represent Construct 4 (rs-g3p(N1N2)-Ig fusion); and the diamonds represent a r-IgG4 Fc negative control.

To confirm that the g3p fusion proteins of the invention do not bind non-specifically to non-amyloid proteins and polymers, such as, for example, hydrophobic proteins and protein polymers, Construct 6 (50 nM or 200 nM) was tested for binding to non-amyloid proteins/polymers casein (hydrophobic), gelatin (polymer), elastin (collagen polymer), and bovine serum albumin (hydrophobic serum protein). Aβ42 fibers were used as a positive control. An ELISA format was used in which 100 ng of each test protein was immobilized to high adsorbent microtiter wells (two types tested) followed by incubation with Construct 6 or an unrelated IgG1 antibody negative control (200 nM), for 1 hr at 37° C. Detection of bound Construct 6 or IgG1 negative control was carried out after blocking and wash steps using an anti-human-Fc antibody conjugated to horse radish peroxidase (HRP). Quantitation was by absorbance at 405 nm after addition of HRP developer. The results show that Construct 6 preferentially bound amyloid fibers compared to non-amyloid protein polymers or hydrophobic proteins. Construct 6 binding to non-amyloid proteins was comparable to the unrelated hIgG1-negative control antibody.

To assess whether or not valency also plays a role in disaggregation, bivalent rs-g3p(N1N2)-Ig fusion (“Construct 4”) was compared to pentavalent M13 in a filter trap assay. FIG. 19. The results indicate that both bivalent rs-g3p(N1N2)-Ig fusion and pentavalent M13 potently disaggregate β-amyloid fibers. Also indicated is that valency may be important for potency of disaggregation, as indicated by the ability of 1.7 nM pentavalent M13 to reduce aggregates at a level similar to 40 nM rs-g3p(N1N2)-Ig fusion. FIG. 19.

In a similar assay, 1×10¹²/ml M13 (Construct 2); 80 nm and 800 nM rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 5); and 80 nm and 800 nM of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) were assayed for their ability to disaggregate A42 fibers in a filter trap assay. Constructs 2, 5, and 6 potently disaggregate β-amyloid fibers. FIG. 33. Thus, g3p fusions proteins may be used therapeutically or prophylactically to treat any disease or disorder where amyloid is present.

Example 11 Tetrameric Streptavidin-[Biotin-g3p(N1N2)] Protein Binds to and Disaggregates fAβ

To further assess the role of valency on g3p's ability to bind and disaggregate amyloid, a tetrameric streptavidin conjugated g3p(N1N2) was prepared by combining rs-g3p(N1N2) with Biotin-Lys-NTA in the presence of NiSO₄. Excess ligand was removed using a MWCO 3 KDa membrane. Streptavidin was added, and excess rs-g3p(N1N2)-Biotin was removed using a MWCO 100 KDa membrane. The resulting g3p construct, streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)], has four rs-g3p(N1N2) moieties. Streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)] was compared to rs-g3p(N1N2) (“Construct 3”) in a binding assay. FIG. 20. Tetrameric streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)] bound to fAβ more potently than monomeric rs-g3p(N1N2), providing a further indication that valency is important for potency of binding. FIG. 20. However, even monomeric rs-g3p(N1N2) bound to fAβ in therapeutically acceptable levels.

To assess whether or not valency also plays a role in disaggregation, monomeric rs-g3p(N1N2) was compared to tetrameric streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)] in a filter trap assay. FIG. 21. The results indicate that both monomeric rs-g3p(N1N2) and tetrameric streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)] potently disaggregate fAβ fibers. Also indicated is that valency may be important for potency of disaggregation, as indicated by the superior ability of 360 nM tetrameric streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)] to abrogate up to 200 ng fAβ aggregates, as compared to the reduced disaggregation of Aβ by 2.5 μM monomeric rs-g3p(N1N2). FIG. 21, row 2 compared to row 4, for example.

Disaggregation of Aβ by streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)] was also assessed by TEM. Streptavidin-[biotin-g3p(N1N2)] completely disaggregated fAβ42 after a three day incubation. FIG. 22.

Example 12 g3p-Ig Fusion Proteins Significantly Reduce Pre-Existing Aβ Plaque in a Murine Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Using a well-known mouse model for studying Alzheimer's disease (Hsiao et al., Science (1996) 274:99-102; Duyckaerts et al., Acta Neuropathol (2008) 115:5-38), male Tg2576 mice were aged to greater than 500 days, injected (2 μL/injection) bilaterally into the hippocampus with two different preparations of N1N2-Ig fusions (Construct 5 at 7.8 μg/injection and Construct 6 at 8.2 μg/injection) or saline as a negative control, and sacrificed on day 7. Brain tissue was harvested, sectioned, and stained for plaque load quantification using an anti-amyloid beta monoclonal antibody (82E1; cat. #MBS490005-IJ10323 from MyBioSource). As shown in FIG. 28, both N1N2-Ig fusion proteins significantly reduced the plaque load measured in the hippocampus compared to saline-treated mice. As shown in FIG. 29, both N1N2-Ig fusion proteins significantly reduced the plaque load measured in the cerebral cortex compared to saline-treated mice.

The level of synaptophysin, a component of the neurons at synapses, was measured in the hippocampus of the Tg2576 mice after treatment with Constructs 5 and 6. An anti-synaptophysin SY38 antibody (Milliporte) was used. Synaptophysin levels are known to correlate with synaptic density, and thus increased expression indicates recovery from previous plaque damage. See DaRocha-Souto et al. (2011) J. Neuropathol Exp Neuro 70(5):360-376. As shown in FIG. 40, both NiN2-IgG fusion proteins significantly increased the level of synaptophysin in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice. The results indicate that in addition to reducing levels of plaque, treatment of Alzheimer's disease mice with N1N2-Ig fusion proteins results in additional physiological benefits.

Similarly, the level of Iba-1, a marker of microglia activation that is believed to be necessary for plaque clearance (See, e.g., Wilcock et al. (2004) J. Neurosci. 24(27):6144-6151), was measured in the hippocampus of the Tg2576 mice after treatment with Constructs 5 and 6 using an anti-Iba-1 antibody. As shown in FIG. 41, both N1N2-IgG fusion proteins significantly increased the level of Iba-1 in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice when tested 7 days/weeks after treatment. The results are confirmation that treatment of Alzheimer's disease mice with N1N2-Ig fusion proteins results in clearance of plaque.

Levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrocyte activation and brain inflammation were measured in the hippocampus of the Tg2576 mice after treatment with Constructs 5 and 6 using an anti-GFAP antibody (Millipore #AB5804). GFAP levels are known to increase with damage to the brain. See, e.g., DaRocha-Souto et al. (2011) J. Neuropathol Exp Neurol 70(5):360-376 at page 374. Thus, GFAP can be used as a marker after any particular treatment to assess whether the treatment increases GFAP levels, which indicates that the treatment may damage the brain. As shown in FIG. 42, neither N1N2-IgG fusion proteins significantly increased the level of GFAP in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease mice, suggesting that treatment of Alzheimer's disease mice with N1N2-Ig fusion proteins does not damage the hippocampus. Thus, g3p fusions proteins may be used therapeutically or prophylactically to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Example 13 g3p-Ig Fusion Proteins Block Aβ Oligomer Induced Cytotoxicity

Aβ oligomers cause the release of certain toxic enzymes in neuronal cells. The enzyme can be assayed to determine whether a compound can inhibit the AB oligomer induced cytotoxicity. FIG. 32 presents representative data showing that M13 (Construct 2) and rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) block oligomer-induced toxicity to N2a cells. g3p-Ig fusion proteins are therefore potent inhibitors of Aβ oligomer induced cytotoxicity.

Example 14 g3p-Ig Fusion Proteins Bind to and Disaggregate Tau, and Reduce Aβ Plaque & p-Tau in Aged 3×Tg Mice and in Aged Tau Transgenic Mice

To assess whether a g3p-Ig fusion protein binds to tau, a g3p fragment-Ig fusion protein comprising N1 and N2 was prepared and assessed for its ability to bind ftau by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). FIG. 35 shows the results of one representative SPR assay showing that rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG4-Fc (Construct 4) potently binds ftau. FIG. 48 shows the results of another representative SPR assay showing that rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) potently binds ftau.

To test whether a g3p-Ig fusion protein can disaggregate tau, a g3p fragment-Ig fusion protein comprising N1 and N2 was tested in a ThT fluorescence assay for its ability to degrade preformed ftau. The results indicate that a g3p-Ig fusion protein potently disaggregates ftau. See, FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, FIG. 49A, and FIG. 49B.

To test whether a g3p-Ig fusion protein is effective in vivo, 19-20 month old male and female 3×Tg mice, which are recognized as a model for Alzheimer's disease (see Stemiczuk et al., 2010 Brain Res 1348:139; Sterniczuk et al., 2010 Brain Res 1348:149), were given a direct injection of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) or a control into the hippocampal region of the brain. Brain tissue was harvested 7 days after injection. Sections were immunostained for Aβ plaque with an anti-amyloid beta monoclonal antibody (82E1; cat. #MBS490005-IJ10323 from MyBioSource), or for p-Tau with an anti-PHF1 antibody (see Kosik et al., 1986, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 83(11): 4044; PHF=paired helical filament(s)). Paired helical filaments are one family of tau-containing fibers that accumulate in large cytoplasmic aggregates known as neurofibrillary tangles, and are recognized as a marker for tau. The results show that Construct 6 significantly decreased Aβ plaque levels in the hippocampus of treated mice as compared to controls. See, FIG. 52A. The results also show that Construct 6 significantly decreased tau levels in the hippocampus of treated mice as compared to controls. See, FIG. 52B. A one-tailed Dunnett's test (* p<0.05; ** p<0.01) was used.

To assess the ability of the g3p fusion proteins of the invention to reduce tau in a different in vivo model, aged tau(P301L) transgenic mice were studied. Tau(P301L) mice overexpress tau, and are recognized as a model for studying Alzheimer's disease. See, Lewis J et al. (2000) Nat Genet 25:402-405. Aged P301L mice exhibit marked hypoactivity as a phenotype associated with tau pathology. Construct 6 (at about 2 mg/Kg) was infused to the spines of tau(P301L) mice (N=7) chronically via implanted intrathecal pumps for 14 days. After 14 days, the mice were observed for motor activity (distance traveled over 10 mins) in a blinded fashion. Construct 6 treated mice, but not PBS treated mice, showed significantly greater motor activity. Construct 6 had no effect on wild type mice (N=10). Thus, the g3p fusion proteins of the invention may be used therapeutically and/or prophylactically in any disease or disorder where tau is present.

Example 15 g3p-Ig Fusion Proteins Inhibit PrP^(Sc) Accumulation, Aggregation, and PrP^(Sc) Formation in a Cell Culture Model of Prion Disease (N2a22L^(Sc))

Prion diseases are characterized by the conversion of normal cellular prion protein (PrP^(c)) to the protease-resistant pathological form PrP^(Sc). PrP^(Sc) is distinguished from PrP^(c) on the basis of protease resistance: protease partly degrades PrP^(Sc) to form a protease-resistant C-terminal core fragment (PrPres), which has an unglycosylated form with a molecular weight of 19-21 kDa. Inhibition, reversal, and reduction of PrP^(Sc) constitutes a viable therapeutic approach to treatment of several degenerative diseases.

To determine whether a g3p-Ig fusion protein comprising N1 and N2 interferes with the formation of pathological prion conformers (PrP^(Sc)) in in vitro models of prion disease, and to verify disaggregation or change in solubility of PrP in N2a22L^(Sc) cells in the presence or absence of a g3p-Ig fusion protein, cells were cultured for 24 h in the absence or presence of 1 μg/ml Construct 6 or IgG and harvested in lysis buffer. 100 μg of total protein was ultracentrifuged at 4° C. for 90 min at 55,000 rpm in a TLA 100.1 rotor in a Beckman Optima TL ultracentrifuge. 25 μl samples of solubilized pellets and supernatants were subjected to SDS-PAGE and downstream analysis with anti-PrP antibody 6D11 mAb. Increased detergent insolubility precedes acquisition of proteinase K (PK) resistance by PrP^(Sc) or PrP mutants, therefore the ability of a g3p-Ig fusion protein to alter PrP solubility was assessed. Construct 6-treated cells exhibited significantly reduced amounts of aggregated/insoluble PrP compared to IgG treated N2a22L^(Sc) cells. See FIG. 38A and FIG. 38B.

For FIGS. 38A and 38B, N2a22L^(Sc) cells were generated as described previously (Pankiewicz et al., Eur. J. Neurosci. (2006) 23:2635-2647). Briefly, brains of terminally ill CD-1 mice infected with mouse-adapted 22 L prion strain were homogenized by sonication (10% weight/volume) in cold phosphate-buffered saline and 5% dextrose in sterile conditions. For infection, the brain homogenate was further diluted to 2% in Opti-MEM and added to subconfluent six-well plates (Corning, Acton, Mass., USA), 1 mL per 10-cm² well. After 5 h, 1 mL of regular MEM was added and the cells were incubated in the presence of infectious brain homogenate for an additional 12 h. The cells were washed and standard MEM growth media was added. Cells were grown until confluent and then split into 1:2 dilutions and transferred to 25-cm² flasks (Corning). Cells grown in one of the flasks were split 1:2 every 4 days to give rise to subsequent passages, whereas cells grown in the other flask were harvested and homogenized to monitor the level of PrP^(Sc). Based on prior studies, the presence of inoculum derived PrP^(Sc) is only detected in the first and second passages, so passage 4 (P4) cells were utilized for all subsequent studies. Cells were lysed in a homogenizing buffer composed of (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 1 mM Na₃V0₄, 1 mM NaF, 2.5 mM Na₄P₂O₇, 1 mM β-glycerophosphate, 1% NP-40, 0.25% sodium deoxycholate, 0.5 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF), 1 mM leupeptin, 1 mM pepstatin A, 1 mM) or without PMSF for PK digestion) for 5 min at 4° C. and insoluble materials were removed by centrifugation at 10,000 g for 10 min at 4° C. For cellular fractionation, 100 μg of protein was spun at 55,000 rpm for 90 min, after which the pellet was reconstituted in the starting volume. 20% of both pellet and supernatant were resolved and characterized biochemically.

To address whether g3p-Ig fusion proteins dose-dependently alter the propagation of PrP^(Sc), by disaggregation or changing its physicochemical properties, N2a22L^(Sc) cells were cultured for 24 h in the absence or presence of increasing concentrations of Construct 6 or IgG and harvested in lysis buffer. Aliquots of lysed cells with and without PK treatment were subjected to SDS-PAGE and downstream analysis with anti-PrP antibody 6D11 and 6H4 mAb. PrP immunoreactivity in biochemically resolved PK digested and undigested lysate from Control IgG and Construct 6-treated cells was assessed. Treatments included: N2a22L^(Sc)+10 μg/ml, 3 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, 0.333 μg/ml, 0.111 μg/ml, 0.037 μg/ml, 0.012 μg/ml, and 0.004 μg/ml Construct 6, or N2a22L^(Sc)+1 μg/ml mIgG.

The results indicate a significant dose-dependent decrease in PrP^(Sc) in the presence of Construct 6, with 50% less PrP^(Sc) generated in the presence of 0.08 μg/ml Construct 6 compared to 1 μg/ml IgG. See FIG. 39A and FIG. 39B. Repeated experiments confirmed these results.

To assess proteinase K (PK)-resistant conformer of PrP, aliquots of lysed cells, were treated with PK (1 μg/μg) 1:50 dilution at 37° C. for 30 min, according to previous methods (Perrier et al., J. Neurochem (2004) 84:454-463, Pankiewicz et al., Eur J Neurosci (2006) 23:2635-2647). After incubation, digestion was stopped by the addition of PMSF to 4 mM.

Protein concentrations were determined using the BCA protein assay kit (Pierce). Samples were diluted in sample buffer (250 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 10% SDS, 5 mM β-mercaptoethanol, 50% glycerol, 0.02% Coomassie blue G250) and boiled for 5 min. Processed samples were resolved by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.

Anti-PrP monoclonal antibody 6D11 (See Sadowski et al. (2009) Neurobiol Dis. 34(2): 267-278) and 6H4 (See Cordes et al. (2008) J Immunol Methods 337:106-120) as well as anti-actin were used to characterize the samples. The antigen-antibody complexes were detected using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse IgG (GE Healthcare UK Limited, Buckinghamshire, UK) and visualized using the ECL system (GE Healthcare UK Limited) following the manufacturer's instructions. Quantification of protein bands was performed by densitometric analysis of the films (Image J, NIH).

Taken together, the results shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B and FIGS. 39A and 39B demonstrate the ability of a g3p-Ig fusion protein to directly inhibit PrP^(Sc) formation in vitro. Thus, the g3p fusion proteins of the invention may be used therapeutically and/or prophylactically in any disease or disorder where prions are present.

Example 16 NMR Studies

To assess the residues on fAβ42 that interact with rs-g3p(N1N2) (Construct 3), the hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange behavior of fAβ42, using ¹⁵N-HSQC NMR, was analysed. See, e.g., Sanchez et al. (2011) J. Am. Chem Soc 133:6505-08. The hydrogen/deuterium (HID) exchange of backbone amide hydrogens was measured to ascertain the dissociation rate of Aβ molecules from the fiber, to determine the binding moiety exhibited on the amyloid fiber, and to monitor whether the fiber structure was perturbed by the binding of Construct 3.

Mature amyloid fibers (fAβ42) from uniformly ¹⁵N-labelled Aβ monomers were generated and exposed to D₂O for 0 to 744 hrs (0-31 days) at 37° C. in the presence and absence of Construct 3. Following exposure to Construct 3, the fibers were subjected to lyophilization, and the lyophilized material was dissolved in a dimethylsulfoxidel dichloroacetic acid (DMSO/DCA) solvent. The ratio of H to D associated with each amino acid was then measured using ¹⁵N-HSQC NMR spectra. As some further HID exchange occurred in the DMSO/DCA solution, for each time of exposure of fibers to D₂O, the time dependence of the H to D ratio in the DMSO/DCA solution was measured and the data extrapolated to the time of dissolution in DMSO/DCA. See, e.g., Whittemore et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44:4434-41 and Sanchez et al. (2011) J. Am. Chem Soc 133:6505-08 for methods.

The H/D exchange experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of Construct 3 at a stoichiometric ratio of 1:3 Construct 3: fAβ42 (25:75 μM). A10-fold excess was used to ensure saturated binding.

The results indicate that the H/D exchange does not conform to a single phase process, as observed previously for Aβ fibers, and for other amyloids (Yamaguchi et al. (2004) J. Mol. Bio 338:559-571; Sanchez et al., 2011). In the absence of Construct 3, the exchange profile showed that two stretches of Aβ1-42 sequence, residues 17-27 and 31-40, were relatively protected from HID exchange. Addition of Construct 3 increased protection for residues 17-22 and 33-40. Thus, the results indicate that Construct 3 recognizes Aβ fibers through hydrophobic core residues. Note that residues 18, 32, 36 and 41 were omitted from the analysis due to signal overlap and residues 2, 7, 8, 14, 30 and 38 were exchanged in the DMSO/DCA dissolution dead time, therefore the effects on these residues were not reported, and their contribution can only be inferred from data on adjacent amino acids.

The results also indicate that the protection is primarily manifested in the slower phase of exchange, which is strongly suppressed.

The interaction between Construct 3 and fAβ42 was also analyzed by TEM. The results show that incubation of Construct 3 with preformed fAβ42 for 744 hours increases amorphous aggregates, and thus disaggregates preformed fAβ42. TEM of fAβ42 generated at pH 2.0 consistently showed dense networks of fiber, and a 10-fold dilution was often necessary to clearly determine morphology. The fibers formed were distinct individual fibers with an observed twist and little lateral association, similar to those observed previously for Aβ42 (Olofsson et al. (2006) J. Biol Chem 281:477-83) and twisted Aβ40 (Petkova et al. (2005) Science 307:262-65). Amorphous aggregates were relatively rare, while oligomeric structures were observed in most images as a minor background species. Oligomers and amorphous aggregates, along with small amounts of fiber, were observed with a greater frequently in images from the supernatant that remained after centrifugation at 190 000 RCF_(MAX).

TEM of samples taken during the course of the H/D exchange times (in pH 7.4 buffer) but not centrifuged indicated an increased amount of amorphous aggregate relative to the original preparation. The amorphous aggregates did not centrifuge with fAβ42. After 744 hours, the non-centrifuged material contained less fiber when Construct 3 was present. Thus, at 744 hours, Construct 3 disaggregates preformed fAβ42.

A schematic of the experiment is shown in FIG. 45. FIG. 46 shows a graphical representation of the residues on fAβ42 that interact with Construct 3. FIG. 47 shows a representative TEM of Construct 3 disaggregating preformed fAβ42 at 744 hours.

Example 17 An If1 N1N2 Fusion Protein Potently Binds to fAβ42

If1 phage and M13 phage share about 30% identity across the N1 domain of g3p, but have virtually no identity across the N2 domains. A g3p N1N2-IgG-Fc fusion construct was made where the N1N2 region of g3p was from If1 phage (Construct 8; SEQ ID NOs:31 and 32). Construct 8 was analyzed by SPR to determine its binding affinity to A1 fibers. 100 μM Aβ42 fibers (rPeptide Aβ1-42 assembled in 10 mM HCl for 3 days) were 1:1 mixed with 10 mM NaAc pH 5.0 and immobilized on CM3 surfaces. Approximately 2 μM Construct 3 (N1N2 g3p non-fusion protein) and Construct 8 in running buffer [10 mM HEPES pH7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.005% P20] were passed across the surfaces of the biochip at 5 μl/min for 10-12 min. All samples were prepared at 25° C. The results are presented in FIG. 50A. Construct 8 strongly binds Aβ fibrils with a K_(D) of ˜36 nM. An N1N2 fragment of g3p (not linked to an Fc domain) showed weaker binding (K_(D)˜36 nM).

Next, another amyloid fiber binding assay was conducted to compare the ability of an If1 N1N2 g3p and M13 N1N2 g3p to bind fAβ. In this assay, M13-Alexa488 was mixed with Aβ (fAβ) for 2-3 hours to allow complexes to form, test constructs (If1 N1N2 g3p and M13 N1N2 g3p; both without Fc domains) were added, then the complexes sedimented by centrifugation at 7500×g for 10 minutes. The fluorescence in the pellet was proportional to the M13 bound to the amyloid. This assay provides both a quantitative measure of binding of phage to fAβ and provides a system for assessing the ability of other agents to compete with phage for binding. FIG. 50B present the results, which show that If1 N1N2 g3p binds about four times better than M13 N1N2 g3p.

Example 18 g3p-Ig Fusion Proteins Reduce Amyloid and Improve Behaviors Associated with Alzheimer's Disease in Aged Tg2576 Mice when Administered Systemically

To determine whether g3p-Ig fusion proteins are effective in treating Alzheimer's disease when administered systemically, 10 mg/kg of rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6) or PBS was administered to aged Tg2576 mice (21 to 23 month old retired male breeders) intraperitoneally. All mice received anti-CD4 pre-treatment (0.5 mg-IP) to suppress a potential peripheral immune response to systemically administered rs-g3p(N1N2)-hIgG1-Fc (Construct 6).

At week 3, mice were assessed for myoclonic corner jumping, which assesses function of hippocampus, striatum, and regions involved in motor coordination & control (brainstem, cerebellum, motor cortex). See Lalonde & Strazielle, 2012, Neurosci Res, 74(2):69. This behavior is analogous to myoclonus seen in patients with late-stage Alzheimer's disease. See Lalonde et al, 2012, Rev. Neurosci, 23(4):363. Mice were observed over a 5 min period in a novel environment and the number of bouts of continuous jumping and/or climbing behavior while rearing against the corner of the cage were noted. The results indicate that mice that received Construct 6 exhibited significantly less myoclonic corner jumping episodes as compared to mice receiving control PBS. See, FIG. 55.

At week 6, mice were assessed for hyperactivity by assessing total distance run, see. FIG. 53A and FIG. 53B, and circling activity, see, FIG. 54. These assays test the ameliorization of hyperactivity by measuring total distance traveled in a novel environment. These behavioral assays model the heightened agitation routinely observed in AD patients. See Mega et al., 1996 Neurology 46:130; and King et al., 1999 Brain Res, 103:145. Mice were placed into a 40 cm×40 cm square arena for 10 min and spontaneous movement and behaviors were scored in real-time with a video tracking system. The results indicate that mice that received Construct 6 had a significantly reduced spontaneous locomotor activity as compared to mice receiving control PBS. See, FIGS. 53A and 53B. Mice that that received Construct 6 also had reduced circling behavior as compared to mice receiving control PBS. See, FIG. 54.

At week 9, mice were assessed for spontaneous alternation in a Y-maze, which assesses short-term spatial memory and novelty exploration in rodents. See, Hughes, 2004 Neurosci & Biobehav Rev, 28:497. See, FIG. 56. Mice impaired in short-term memory, such as the Tg2576 mouse model, exhibit less spontaneous alternation relative to mice with normal short-term memory. This task mimics the impairments in short-term memory and spatial memory seen in patients with AD. Mice were placed into a Y-maze for 10 min and arm entries were tracked using an automated, video-based tracking system. Mice receiving Construct 6 exhibited significantly more spontaneous alternation of arm entries in the Y-maze relative to mice receiving control PBS indicating improved memory. The following is a schematic showing the timing of injections of PBS or Construct 6 (arrows) as well as timing for behavioral assessments (asterisks).

At 10 weeks, mice treated with Construct 6, and PBS-treated mice were sacrificed and assessed for Aβ plaque load reduction by anti-AP antibody staining and by thioflavin S staining. The results indicate that systemically administered g3p-Ig fusion protein significantly reduced the Aβ plaque load in the hippocampi of mice with Alzheimer's disease.

In a separate experiment, Construct 6 was intraperitoneally (i.p.) delivered weekly to Tg2576 Alzheimer's disease model mice aged >19 months old for 10 weeks at 3 dosage groups (0.2 mg/Kg, N=13; 2 mg/Kg, N=12; and 20 mg/Kg, N=13). A PBS-treated group (N=13) served as negative control. Spontaneous alternation testing of Construct 6-treated mice showed a dose dependent improvement in spatial memory, such that the group receiving 20 mg/Kg was significantly improved.

Combined, these results show that g3p-Ig fusion proteins ameliorate many psychomotor phenotypes and cognitive deficits in Tg2576 mice that are analogous to symptoms observed in patients with mid- to late-stage Alzheimer's disease, as well as reduce amyloid in the brain. Thus, systemically administered g3p fusions proteins may be used therapeutically or prophylactically to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Example 19 Cloning, Expression and Purification of Construct 6

M13 ssDNA was extracted by QIAprep Spin M13 kit (Qiagen, Cat#27704). The N1-linker-N2-linker domain of M13 g3p (g3pN1N2) was amplified by PCR with forward primer (AAAAAAGGGAATTCGATGGCTGAAACTGTTGAAAGTTG; SEQ ID NO:33) and reverse primer (AAAAAACCATGGCACCGGAACCAGAGCCAC; SEQ ID NO:34). The g3pN1N2 PCR product (which encoded amino acids 22-277 of SEQ ID NO:13) and pFUSE-hIgG1-Fc2 vector (InvivoGen, Cat#pfuse-hglfc2) were digested with restriction enzymes EcoRI-HF (New England Biolabs, Cat#R3101) and NcoI-HF (New England Biolabs, Cat#R3193). This vector encodes the IL2 signal sequence (amino acids 1-20 of SEQ ID NO:13), a multiple cloning site, and the human IgG1-Fc2 (amino acids 287-509 of SEQ ID NO:13). The digested vector was dephosphorylated and ligated with the digested insert. The ligation product was transformed into NEB 5-alpha Competent E. coli (New England Biolabs, Cat#C2987). The ligation product is predicted to encode a methionine (amino acid 21 of SEQ ID NO:13) between the signal sequence and the first amino acid of the g3PN1N2 due to the use of the multiple cloning site in the pFUSE-hIgG1-Fc2 vector. Single colony transformants were picked and grown up for plasmid preparation. The plasmids were extracted and tested for insert size by restriction digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis. Plasmid candidates of IgG1Fc-g3p(N1N2) were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Plasmids were prepared by Endotoxin-free Maxi kit (Qiagen) and filter sterilized. High-yield protein expression was performed using Expi293™ Expression System (Life Technologies, Cat#A14635) as described below.

Expi293F™ cells were cultured according to manufacturer's directions. Transfections were performed in 30 ml to 0.5 liter batches in shaker flasks. Cells were diluted to 2×10⁶ cells/ml the day before transfections. For transfection of 30 ml cell suspension (2.5×10⁶ cells/ml), 30 μg plasmid DNA was diluted in 1.5 ml of Opti-MEM and 80 μl of ExpiFectamine™ 293 Reagent was diluted in 1.5 ml Opti-MEM. Each mix was incubated for 5 minutes before adding the plasmid DNA to the ExpiFectamine™ 293 Reagent followed by additional 20-30 minutes incubation. The DNA-ExpiFectamine™ 293 Reagent mix was added slowly to the cells while gently swirling. Cells were incubated for approximately 16 hours before 150 μl of ExpiFectamine™ 293 Transfection Enhancer I and 1.5 ml of ExpiFectamine™ 293 Transfection Enhancer II was added. The cells were incubated for another 5-6 days before harvesting media. Cell media was collected by centrifugation at 10,000×g for 30 minutes and kept sterile at 4° C. until purification.

Purification of the expressed fusion protein was done using HiTrap™ rProtein A FF columns (GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden). Columns were regenerated with elution buffer 0.1M glycine-HCl buffer pH 3, equilibrated with 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 7 and sample was added according to manufacturer's recommendation. After washing with 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH7 the protein was eluted with 0.1M glycine-HCl buffer pH 3 into tubes containing Tris-buffer pH 9. Purity of the fusion protein was checked on SDS-PAGE gels followed by Coomassie staining after which the protein was dialyzed into PBS pH 7, concentrated and filter sterilized using an Amicon® Ultracel 30 k spin filters (EMD Millipore Corp, Billerica, Mass.) and Ultrafree CL spin columns respectively (EMD Millipore Corp, Billerica, Mass.). All proteins were stored at 4° C. prior to use.

The resulting fusion protein was predicted to correspond to amino acids 21-509 of SEQ ID NO:13. Peptide sequencing of the purified fusion protein revealed an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 23-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, indicating that Met21, Ala22 and Lys509 were removed by the Expi293F™ cells during recombinant production. It is not known whether similar processing would occur and, if so, to what degree, upon recombinant production in other eukaryotic or non-eukaryotic expression systems. Such processing (or lack thereof) is not expected to affect the ability of the expressed fusion protein to bind to and cause disaggregation of amyloid.

Example 20 g3p-Ig Fusion Proteins Reduce Amyloid in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

To determine whether g3p fusion proteins are beneficial in reducing amyloid in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a representative g3p-Ig fusion protein (Construct 6) was tested for its ability to interfere with SOD-1 fiber assembly, which is implicated in the pathology of ALS. SOD-1 monomers (apo-enzyme, 3.5 μM in PBS, 5 mM EDTA, 1 mM βME) were agitated at 100 rpm for 24 hrs in the presence or absence of Construct 6 (1.5 μM, 0.75 μM, 0.15 μM). Fiber formation (i.e., aggregation of monomers into fibers) was measured by thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. SOD-1 monomers formed fibers in the absence of Construct 6. However, Construct 6 inhibited SOD-1 fiber formation with an IC50 of ˜0.75 μM. Thus, the g3p-Ig fusion proteins of the invention reduce amyloid in a model for ALS, and can therefore be used therapeutically and/or prophylactically to treat ALS.

Example 21 g3p-Ig Fusion Proteins Reduce Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease

To test for the efficacy of the g3p fusion proteins of the invention in an in vivo model of Parkinson's disease (PD), 8-month old human alpha-synuclein overexpressing mice (Line 61, E. Masliah, N=9/group) were injected with 2 μL of Construct 6 (5.3 mg/mL) or PBS into the caudate bilaterally. Non-transgenic mice (N=5) were also injected with PBS as a further control. All mice were sacrificed 14 days after injection and brains were harvested for neuropathology and biochemical analyses. Measurement for proteinase-K resistant alpha-synuclein in striatum homogenates showed that Construct 6-treated mice had significantly lower alpha-synuclein aggregates and significantly increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (dopamine synthesis enzyme), both measures of clinical improvement. Thus, the g3p fusions proteins of the invention reduce amyloid in a model for Parkinson's disease, and can therefore be used therapeutically or prophylactically to treat Parkinson's disease.

Example 22 g3p Fusions Proteins are Successful in Treating Amyloidosis

Aggregated transthyretin (ttr) is a hallmark of amyloidosis. To confirm that the g3p fusion proteins of the invention are capable of treating amyloidosis, a representative g3p fusion protein was tested for its ability to bind to aggregated ttr. Ttr expressed from E. coli and purified to >90% purity was aggregated by incubation at 0.2 mg/mL in aggregation buffer (100 nM sodium acetate, 100 mM KCl, 1 nM EDTA, pH4.3) at 37° C. with or without agitation (350 rpm). The resulting fibers, verified by ThT fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, were serial diluted onto nitrocellulose membrane for Western blot analysis. The membranes were incubated with either Construct 6, a representative g3p fusion protein of the invention, (100 nM) or anti-ttr antibody, to quantify binding. Native ttr (tetramers) and Aβ42 fibers were used as controls. Construct 6 was detected with an HRP-conjugated goat anti-human IgG antibody. The results show that Construct 6 quantitatively binds ttr fibers, made with or without agitation, but does not recognize native ttr. The membrane treated with anti-ttr antibody served as a binding control and showed that the aggregated and the native ttr preps were both quantitatively retained on the membrane, and that anti-ttr antibody did not recognize the Aβ42 fiber control. Thus, g3p fusion proteins, including Construct 6, potently bind aggregated ttr, which is implicated in pathophysiology of amyloidosis, and does not bind native ttr, the normal physiological tetramer. This data confirms that the g3p fusion proteins of the invention bind to the amyloid conformation of ttr, and are therefore useful therapeutically and prophylactically in treating amyloidosis. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fusion protein comprising an amyloid binding fragment of g3p and an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin, wherein the protein comprises: (a) amino acids 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:9; (b) amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:9; (c) amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:9; (d) amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:9; (e) amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO:9; (f) amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:9; (g) amino acids 21-506 of SEQ ID NO:11; (h) amino acids 22-506 of SEQ ID NO:11; (i) amino acids 23-506 of SEQ ID NO:11; (j) amino acids 21-505 of SEQ ID NO:11; (k) amino acids 22-505 of SEQ ID NO:11; (l) amino acids 23-505 of SEQ ID NO:11; (m) amino acids 21-509 of SEQ ID NO:13; (n) amino acids 22-509 of SEQ ID NO:13; (o) amino acids 23-509 of SEQ ID NO:13; (p) amino acids 21-508 of SEQ ID NO:13; (q) amino acids 22-508 of SEQ ID NO:13; (r) amino acids 23-508 of SEQ ID NO:13; (s) amino acids 21-528 of SEQ ID NO:31; (t) amino acids 22-528 of SEQ ID NO:31; (u) amino acids 23-528 of SEQ ID NO:31; (v) amino acids 21-527 of SEQ ID NO:31; (w) amino acids 22-527 of SEQ ID NO:31; (x) amino acids 23-527 of SEQ ID NO:31; or (y) a mutant or variant that is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of (a)-(x) and is capable of binding to amyloid.
 2. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the amyloid binding fragment of g3p in any one of (a)-(x) has up to 5 amino acid substitutions.
 3. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises amino acids 21-509 of SEQ ID NO:13, or a mutant or variant that comprises up to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:13.
 4. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-509 of SEQ ID NO:13, or a mutant or variant that comprises up to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:13.
 5. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-509 of SEQ ID NO:13, or a mutant or variant that comprises up to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:13.
 6. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises amino acids 21-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, or a mutant or variant that comprises up to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:13.
 7. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises amino acids 22-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, or a mutant or variant that comprises up to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:13.
 8. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises amino acids 23-508 of SEQ ID NO:13, or a mutant or variant that comprises up to 5 amino acid substitutions as compared to the corresponding g3p portion of SEQ ID NO:13.
 9. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the fusion protein is less immunogenic in humans than SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13 or SEQ ID NO:31.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the fusion protein of claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 11. A method of treating a patient for a disease or condition associated with misfolded and/or aggregated amyloid beta, tau, α-synuclein, and/or prion protein, comprising administering to the patient the fusion protein of claim 1, to reduce amyloid, inhibit amyloid formation, inhibit amyloid aggregation, or remove and/or prevent the formation of toxic oligomers.
 12. A method of treating a patient for a disease or condition by administering to the patient the fusion protein of claim 1, wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, early onset Alzheimer's disease, late onset Alzheimer's disease, presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the patient is positive for the biomarker florbetapir when that biomarker is used as an imaging agent in positron emission tomography.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the disease or condition is Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease. 